Up to 120 million e-bikes are estimated to be on the roads in China, making them already the top alternative to cars and public transport.
Manufacturer Shi Zhongdong, whose company also exports electric bikes to Asia and Europe said, “This is the future – it’s practical, it’s clean and it’s economical.”
The bikes have been hailed as an ecologically-sound alternative with their rechargeable batteries leaving a smaller carbon footprint than cars.
China Digital Times reports some have expressed concerns about the pollution created by cheaper lead batteries, calling for better recycling and a quick shift to cleaner, though more expensive, lithium-ion battery technology.
And others are worried about their silence which makes them a pedestrian hazard.