Electric bicycles boom in Britain while China seeks ban

As sales of electric bicycles boom around the world, China is facing calls for the bikes to be banned.

Guangzhou in South China fears being overrun by electric bicycles and has tried unsuccessfully to ban the vehicles, whilst Yizhuang last week started a campaign to reduce their number.

Sales of electric bicycles are up 30 per cent in Britain and are expected to reach to 21,000 by the end of the year, a figure likely to grow even further come spring 2010 when Halfords starts selling electric bikes in its shops, but the numbers pale into insignificance when compared with China.

The country has an estimated 120 million electric-powered bicycles, many of which are able to travel at speeds of 25mph and over.

A proposal currently being considered by the State Standardization Administration seeks to categorize electric bicycles that can exceed 12.5mph as conventional motorbikes.

Electric-assist bicycles in Britain that exceed 15mph using their motor require an MOT and insurance and their rider to have a driving licence.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Electric bikes offer an economical and environmentally-friendly alternative to car travel, but when millions of people switch from conventional bicycles the effect is detrimental.”

Do I need cycle insurance?

The short answer is yes. Bikes are vulnerable to theft and in the case of an accident you may need to seek compensation or even deal with a claim by someone else. Cycle insurance from the ETA includes new-for-old replacement, third party insurance, personal accident cover and if you breakdown, they will even come out and recover you and your bike.

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