1. The restriction is reportedly to curb an increase in the number of accidents involving electric bikes in recent years. Police said 38 people had been killed in 167 accidents involving electric bikes in 2008, accounting for 5.7 percent of the traffic fatalities that year. The death toll increased to 50 (8.3 percent) in 2009 and 64 (11.3 percent) in 2010.

2. Electric bike riders often ignore red traffic lights, park illegally, randomly occupy vehicle lanes and are a danger to pedestrians. There are no designated lanes for electric bikes and electric bike violations have greatly disrupted road traffic.

3. Most electric bikes fail standards which require them to weigh no more than 40 kg with the maximum speed limited to 20 km per hour. The riders are not trained in theory or in skill.

(Han Ximin)