Round Table China New standards for safer e-bikes
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Sep 1, 2025 Electric bikes are surging in popularity across urban China, but safety concerns loom large. With a new national safety standard set for 2025, the discussion dives into regulations addressing battery risks and accident prevention. The show highlights the urgency for updated rules, including speed limits for e-bikes. Excitingly, new models will feature GPS for monitoring battery health and theft prevention. Plus, upcoming trade-in programs offer incentives while aiming to enhance pedestrian safety by encouraging stricter compliance and sustainable transportation.
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E-Bike Use Is Nation-Scale
- China has roughly 380 million e-bikes, about one for every four people.
- That scale rivals the nation's car fleet and makes e-bike safety a major public issue.
Battery Failures Drive Most Fires
- In July 2024 China recorded over 1,400 e-bike fire incidents, many while the bikes were parked.
- Two-thirds were caused by battery thermal runaway, highlighting battery risk as central.
Don’t Use Flying Cables To Charge
- Avoid charging e-bikes at home windows or inside buildings because faulty wiring and 'flying cables' cause fires.
- Use designated outdoor charging stations to reduce building fire risk and blocked escape routes.