Electric Bicycles in China Speed Limit Chaos: Legal Limits Unenforced, Key Oversight Challenges
China’s Industrial and Information Technology Ministry recently released a draft national standard for electric bicycle safety, maintaining a 25 km/h speed limit first introduced in 2018. However, five years on, enforcement has been lax, with shops advising customers to remove speed limiters after purchase, keeping displayed speeds legal. Such practices, along with dedicated speed unlimiting tools, have become commonplace.
In an effort to regulate the burgeoning electric bicycle market and ensure public safety, China introduced national standards in 2018 capping the maximum designed speed of electric bicycles at 25 km/h. However, a closer look reveals that, despite being in effect for over five years, the enforcement of this speed limit has been patchy at best.
On-the-ground investigations discovered that many electric bicycle shops across China routinely advise customers to first register their vehicles to get license plates, and then remove the speed limiters. This ensures that the speedometer never displays speeds above the legal 25 km/h limit, even if the actual speed far exceeds it. Disturbingly, many major electric bicycle brands even have dedicated tools specifically designed for removing these speed limiters.
This rampant speed unlimiting, often abetted by the very shops selling the vehicles, has created a chaotic situation on China’s roads. While electric bicycles were envisioned as a green, convenient solution for short distance travel and last-mile connectivity, the reality is quite different. With speed limits routinely flouted, these electric bicycles often travel at speeds of 35 km/h or more, comparable to light motorcycles, but without the stringent licensing and regulatory oversight.
The root of the problem seems to lie in the 25 km/h speed limit itself. Many argue that this limit is unreasonably low and out-of-touch with the practical needs of commuters in China’s fast-paced urban environments. The widespread prevalence of unlimiting and the thriving underground market for such services is a clear indication that the current regulatory framework is misaligned with ground realities.
Addressing this complex issue will require a multi-pronged approach. Firstly, the rationale behind the 25 km/h limit needs urgent reexamination. A slight upward revision, perhaps to 30 or 35 km/h, may help bridge the gap between legal requirements and practical needs. However, any such move must be carefully studied for its impact on overall road safety.
Secondly, and more crucially, enforcement mechanisms need a drastic overhaul. Merely setting limits is meaningless without robust policing. A crackdown on shops and enterprises enabling unlimiting is essential. Simultaneously, public awareness campaigns underlining the risks of high-speed electric bicycles could help foster a culture of responsible use.
At a broader level, China’s city planners may need to reconsider the positioning of electric bicycles within the urban transport mix. Dedicated lanes or zones for such vehicles, distinct from pedestrian and regular bicycle paths, could help mitigate safety risks arising from speed differentials.
As China’s new draft standards reignite the debate on electric bicycle speeds, it’s clear that the real challenge lies in striking a balance between public demand for convenience and the non-negotiable imperative of safety. Getting this balance right will require not just regulatory updates, but a society-wide shift in mindsets. The chaos on China’s streets today is a stark reminder of the complexities involved in managing the electric bicycle boom.