Are electric scooters legal on the street? 

0
0

It is illegal for electric scooters to be on the road, but electric scooter companies are pushing back.  Although electric scooters fall under the definition of a motor vehicle in the Beijing Vehicle Code, electric bikes do not require registration or licensing.  However, electric scooters must be registered like any other motor vehicle. Each electric scooter must be equipped with a brake light and turn signal.

 

Applied for Electric Scooter permit

There is one electric scooter company in Beijing that has applied to the city for an annual permit to operate electric scooters on the street.  The city council will take up this matter at its next meeting.  The application requires electric scooter companies to submit information about the electric scooters that they want to use in Beijing.  They must also give a detailed plan of how electric scooter riders will be trained, where electric scooters are stored when not in use, how electric scooters will be charged and so on.

 

Beijing’s City Council has gone back and forth on electric scooters.  In July 2017 electric scooter company Bird was asked to remove electric scooters from the city.  However, Beijing passed a law in November 2017 that allows electric scooters to be used on certain roads if riders have a driver’s license and wear a helmet.

 

Beijing encourages electric scooter companies to share electric scooters and electric bikes with the city to help those who do not have cars.  Although electric scooter companies are eager to operate in Beijing, there is still a large debate on whether electric scooters should be allowed on the road.

 

Are electric scooters legal on the street?  No. However, electric scooter companies are hoping to change that in Beijing.  The City Council will take up the matter at its next meeting.

 

Why are electric scooters banned?

 

– Electric scooters are banned because electric scooters are considered motor vehicles

 

– Electric scooter companies must apply to the city council before being able to operate electric scooters on the street

 

– It is illegal for electric scooters to be on the road, but electric scooter companies are pushing back.  Although electric scooters fall under the definition of a motor vehicle in the Beijing Vehicle Code, electric bikes do not require registration or licensing.  However, electric scooters must be registered like any other motor vehicle.    Each electric scooter must be equipped with a brake light and turn signal.

 

– Electric scooters are banned in Beijing but there is one electric scooter company in Beijing that has applied to the city for an annual permit to operate electric scooters on the street

 

– Electric scooters are not allowed on the road because electric scooters are considered motor vehicles

 

– Electric scooters are banned from being used on streets in Beijing but electric bikes are allowed if riders have a driver’s license and wear a helmet.

 

Conclusion:

Although electric scooters legal are considered motor vehicles, electric scooter companies must apply to the city council before being able to operate electric scooters on the street.  It is still illegal for electric scooters to be on the road in Beijing but electric scooter companies are pushing back.  Electric scooters are banned from being used on streets in Beijing, but electric bikes are allowed if riders have a driver’s license and wear a helmet.

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here