Banning e-bicycles will hurt the poor

A passion for electric vehicles brings Luca Valente, Brandon Ng and Nathan Siy (from left to right) together. [Provided to China Daily]

A DRAFT regulation on non-motor vehicles and motorcycles in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong province, proposes banning the sales and use of motorcycles, electric bikes and other non-motor vehicles within the city. China Business Review commented on Thursday:

The production and sales of electric bicycles have a legal basis. The production of electric bicycles manufactured according to national standards and sold with the necessary permits is legal.

A ban on electric bicycles is clearly against the interests of many. For many people with low incomes riding an electric bike is the most feasible transport option.

Despite this an increasing number of cities are considering a ban on electric bikes. Decision-makers should try to understand the underlying feelings of the people at the lower end of society and recognize the hardships they face in their lives.