The Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy said some 2,000 tricycle drivers protested in Fuyang on Wednesday over a buyback arrangement that is to begin next week under which the government will take away their bikes and offer some compensation.

The plan aims to rid the city of the unlicensed fare-carrying tricycles that are said to be ignoring traffic rules and causing safety concerns among road users who expressed their dislike of the trike drivers in Internet chat rooms.

The center said Wednesday's protest left about 20 people injured.

A smaller group of riders also gathered at the city office Thursday, but that rally remained calm.

The Fuyang Daily said the government will help the tricycle drivers find jobs and provide them with rental housing and social welfare services to alleviate the financial impact on their families.

==Kyodo