Beijing seeks safer charging of electric bicycles

Beijing plans to set up zones where charging electric bicycles is prohibited, a move designed to prevent potentially fatal fires caused by disorderly charging in walkways, staircases or the safety exits of residential buildings.

The owners of electric bicycles who charge their bikes in certain areas could be fined up to 500 yuan ($80), under a draft submitted to the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal People's Congress on Thursday.

The draft also said bicycle owners could be held criminally responsible in some cases.