Shenzhen to implement ban on electric bicycles by April

Electric bicycles

On April the restrictions for electric bicycles will be implemented, the ban hopes to improve traffic conditions. Before the ban starts the city will have 887 bus routes with bus coverage in 500 meters covering Luohu, Futian, Yantian and Bao’an by 100 percent. 

But some people still sees the restrictions as a burden, a resident from Xinshi Village works as a scrap collector and needs an electric bicycle for his job. He also uses it to bring his children to school, buy food and other things that his family needs. And once the restrictions takes effect he is forced to find a different or new way of transportation. Some say that they will still use their bicycles and will just have to avoid any traffic police.

In the latest survey done by the traffic police, around 80 percent of the electric bicycles in the city does not meet the national standards in weight and speed. The standards are requiring that electric bicycles should weight no more than 40 kilograms with a maximum speed of 20 kilometers. Electric bikes in the city can reach 50 kilometers which poses a threat to pedestrians, drivers and cars as well.

Many are saying that electric bicycles have the right to use the roads as well, and are asking the government to open specials lanes for electric bicycles. Several businesses will also be affected such as delivery and postal services. One delivery company said that his operating cost will increase wince his needs to replace some of his bicycles that does not meet the national standards. And they can’t think of any cheaper form of transportation that can be used in delivering since small vans are too expensive to maintain and inefficient.

SOURCE: www.shenzhen-standard.com