Shenzhen will introduce rules to ban over-powered electric bicycles this year in a move to curb rampant traffic violations and an increasing death toll.
A research report conducted by the traffic police bureau, transport commission and the Shenzhen Legislative Affairs Office based on the practices and experience of other cities in China had been submitted to the city government for review and approval, Shen Shaobao, deputy head of the public security bureau, said Tuesday (Jan 18).
Management of electric bikes would be tightened by restricting electric bikes traveling more than 20 kilometers an hour and weighing more than 20 kilograms on roads, Shen said.
Although recent figures are not available, accidents involving electric bikes had been rising in recent years. Police figures show that 105 people were killed in accidents involving electric bikes between 2007 and the first half of 2009. Most of the riders fled the scene because they had no license plates or insurance. Those injured in the accidents were unlikely to be compensated.
Complicating the situation further, many electric bike owners operate illegal and highly dangerous "bike taxis."
Municipal People's Congress (MPC) deputy Wu Limin suggested government agencies should work together to regulate electric bikes, from production to the riders.
"For example, the quality inspection department should monitor standards during production, while the market supervision department should clamp down on bikes being sold illegally. The traffic department should introduce rules to regulate the use of bikes," he said.
According to Chinese regulations, electric bikes are not classified as vehicles because they are not petrol-driven. This means operators of illegal taxi services can only be punished under minor statutes such as carrying passengers, crossing red lights or driving on the wrong side of the road.
Sales of electric bikes surged after petrol-driven motorcycles were banned in Shenzhen in 2003. Motorcycles were blamed for disrupting traffic and facilitating robberies. Electric bikes are cheap, costing no more than 3,000 RMB (455 USD) and a popular form of transport to avoid traffic jams and expensive gasoline. There are an estimated 300,000 electric bikes in the city. Riders do not need to be licensed and the bikes aren't registered.
(By Han Ximin)
