Editor’s note: A version of this post first appeared on Yicai Global, the English-language financial news service of Shanghai Media Group. Yicai Global is one of just two dedicated Chinese news feeds connected to the Bloomberg terminal.
Beijing’s Traffic Management Bureau said it is keen to put a stop to the shared e-bikes recently found on the city’s roads, as they are not licensed and are a safety risk.
Local firm Meichemei Business Consulting Co. placed the 50 yellow Xiaomi e-bikes, which can be rented by scanning QR codes in a similar manner to bike-sharing platforms, around subway station entrances in the city, state-owned news agency Xinhua reported.
As the e-bikes aren’t properly licensed, riding them is against the law and could be dangerous. Haidian district’s traffic department has initiated talks to remove all of the e-bikes from the streets. To be legally licensed and ridden, e-bikes must meet certain technical requirements and be registered on the ‘Electric Bicycles Catalogue of Beijing.’
E-bike riders often drive quickly, despite their lack of protection when compared to cars. Unsafe riding, unlicensed vehicles, and substandard domestic production have led to concern over the safety of such vehicles.