Summary of Key Points
The draft revision to the Road Traffic Safety Law proposes to increase the maximum allowable speed for electric bicycles in non-motorized lanes from 15 kilometers per hour to 20 kilometers per hour, while the designed speed at which the bicycles are manufactured remains unchanged at 25 kilometers per hour. (It's important to distinguish between the two: the designed speed is the maximum speed the vehicle can achieve, while the actual speed limit is the speed allowed on the road.) Currently, there are nearly 400 million electric bicycles in use domestically (one per four people), and the designed speed has not been increased for safety reasons. However, consumers generally feel that 25 kilometers per hour is too slow, and many merchants offer services to modify the speed to 40-60 kilometers per hour. Regulatory authorities have taken strict action against such violations, with 2,184 cases investigated in the first quarter.
1. Increase in the Actual Speed Limit: From 15 to 20 – Not Just a Casual Relaxation
The draft revision raises the maximum allowed speed for electric bicycles in non-motorized lanes from 15 to 20 kilometers per hour. Many people may wonder why this change is being made; it is to balance "actual needs" with "safety." The original speed limit of 15 kilometers per hour might have been too slow for those in a hurry to get to work, but the bicycles cannot be as fast as motorcycles. It's important to understand the difference between the two speeds: the design speed is the maximum speed the vehicle can reach when it leaves the factory (for example, the speed limit of 25 kilometers per hour), and the actual driving speed limit is the maximum speed allowed on the road. To put it simply, a car might be designed to travel at 180 kilometers per hour, but the speed limit on the highway is usually 120 kilometers per hour – the same principle applies here.
2. The Designed Speed Remains at 25 Kilometers per Hour: Safety Is a Paramount Concern
Why hasn't the designed speed been increased? Because the number of electric bicycles in use is extremely high – around 400 million, which means almost one bicycle per four people. If the designed speed were higher, accidents could occur more easily due to careless behavior on the road. Therefore, the new safety regulations not only maintain the 25-kilometer speed limit but also require that the motor automatically shuts down when the speed exceeds this limit, to prevent manufacturers from secretly making the bicycles faster. Manufacturers must also optimize their designs to prevent users from easily modifying the speed, all with the aim of reducing traffic accidents.
3. Consumer Disatisfaction with Low Speeds Leads to Unofficial Speed Modifications
Many buyers of electric bicycles find the 25-kilometer speed limit too slow, especially for tasks like delivering food or commuting long distances. As a result, some sales outlets and repair shops offer services to increase the speed to 40-60 kilometers per hour (for example, such services are common in Guangzhou). Although this is illegal, the demand for such modifications makes them a common practice in the market.
4. Regulatory Action: Crackdown on Illegal Modifications
To address the issues of speed modifications and the production of substandard bicycles, regulatory authorities have taken action. The State Administration for Market Regulation has included electric bicycles in its "Three-Year Action on Quality and Safety Hazards," and 2,184 illegal cases were investigated in the first quarter, involving goods worth 17.79 million yuan. In short, anyone who produces substandard bicycles or helps modify them will be punished. This approach aims to reduce the number of unsafe electric bicycles on the road and protect everyone's safety.
Overall, this revision represents a compromise that "relaxes the actual speed limit slightly while strictly enforcing the safety standards." It takes into account the daily needs of users without compromising on safety requirements and also addresses the issue of illegal speed modifications through regulatory measures, thus achieving a balance among various stakeholders.