Guangzhou bans electric bicycles

An electric bicycle owner is saying "Good-bye" to his bike.

Guangzhou in southern China has banned all electric and motorized bicycles from its streets. Starting next month, anyone who rides an electric or motorized bicycle will face a fine.

A survey in the city finds that over 78 percent residents think the electric bicycles aren't suitable for the transportation situation in Guangzhou and 70 percent of them agree the ban will help to the ease the city's transport gridlock.

Since June, Guangzhou has held three meetings to discuss the matter. The city's traffic police department says most of the city's electric bicycles don't measure up to the country's technical regulations, which regulate that its highest speed should not exceed 32 kilometers per hour and the weight should not be over 40 kilograms. Many electric bicycles are motorized, increasing the risk of traffic accidents.