Beijing to Ban Electric Bikes on 10 Major Streets

Electric bikes are about to bear the blame for a significant number of traffic accidents, as Beijing’s Public Security Bureau (PSB) will ban the popular and economical means of transport from Chang’an Jie and nine other major Beijing streets, beginning April 11, China state media reported.

The streets affected are Chang’an Jie (from Jianguomen to Fuxingmen); Guangchang Dongce Lu and Guangchange Xice Lu (the two streets on either side of Tiananmen Square); Fuyou Jie (just west of the Forbidden City); Zhengyi Lu; Fuxingmenwai Dajie (from Fuxingmen to Muxidi Qiao); Jiaenguomenwai Dajie (from Jianguomen to Guomao Qiao); Fuxing Lu (from Muxidi Qiao to Xinxing Qiao); Puhuangyu Lu (from Yuting Qiao to Liujiayao Qiao); and Shijingshan Lu (between Yuquan Lu junction and Lugu Dongjie North).

As such, most of Chaoyang District remains unaffected, although cross-city commuters may need to find a more northern thoroughfare to use.

The ban specifically targets “two-wheeled electric bikes” (电动二轮车), which, according to Beijing PSB’s Traffic Management Department, were involved in over 31,000 accidents in 2015, resulting in 113 fatalities and over 21,000 injuries. They accounted for 36.7 percent of all traffic injuries in Beijing last year.

Beijing will roll-out the plan after a similar scheme in Shenzhen was declared successful in reducing traffic congestion and related injuries. Violators face fines of RMB 20 per infraction, and confiscation of the vehicle if they refuse to pay.

Written by Steven Schwankert