Electric bikes still OK on city streets

Electric bicycles are still allowed on city streets, an expert has said, quashing an Internet rumor that the government has prohibited them from the road.

The speculation came after a new national standard on light motorcycles last week stipulated that electric vehicles with speeds between 20 km/h and 50 km/h are motorcycles, which are currently banned in many Chinese cities.

However, electric bicycles are designed with a speed of less than 20 km/h and weigh less than 40 kg.

Lu Jinlong, an expert on bicycle policy under the China Bicycle Industry Association, said electric bicycles are not be defined as motor vehicles under the new regulation, the Beijing Times reported on Sept 4.

Lu said drivers of electric bicycles do not need to get licenses or buy insurance for their vehicles, which is mandatory for motorcycles.

A new national standard for electric bicycles is expected to come out next year, he added.