China tightens speed limits for electric bicycles, leading to a boom in the black market.
Regulations effective December 1st require vehicles to automatically shut off when exceeding the speed limit, restrict plastic materials, and enhance battery protection. Older vehicles will be tampered with, bypassing the ownership transfer process. Beijing will tighten regulations from May 1st, 2026.
China implemented a series of strict regulations on electric bicycles starting December 1st, leading to a surge in the sale of illegally modified used bikes on e-commerce platforms. Many listings advertise bikes with pre-installed license plates, requiring no paperwork, and even boasting top speeds of "over 70 km/h."
New tightening points: speed, materials, and anti-interference.
According to regulations effective from December 1st, newly manufactured electric bicycles must:
- The power will automatically shut off when the allowed speed limit is exceeded.
- Limit the use of plastic components.
- Improve battery protection.
- Enhance technology to prevent system interference.
These requirements aim to reduce safety risks and prevent the removal of speed limiters, which is mandatory by law.
Used cars with extensive floor modifications: license plates issued first, ownership transfer skipped.
Just days after the regulation was announced, used electric bikes—often with speed limits removed—flooded online marketplaces. Many ads read: “Electric bike for sale: license plate already registered. No further steps required,” or “Used electric bike, 90% new… can reach speeds over 70 km/h!”
According to The Beijing News, there have been cases where sellers claim that the registration of used vehicles cannot be transferred to a new owner, but as long as there is a permit, the vehicle can still be driven, regardless of who is on the registration. Delivery groups are reportedly fond of modified used vehicles because of their powerful engines, large size, and lack of speed limits.
Execution gaps in routine testing
The Beijing News reported that during routine inspections related to traffic violations by electric bicycles, authorities often verify the validity of license plates, but do not check if the driver matches the registered owner. This inspection method inadvertently creates a loophole allowing vehicles that have not been transferred to a new owner to continue being used.
Legal risks and Beijing's tightening measures.
Current traffic regulations require that the sale of used electric bicycles must be completed after the transfer of ownership is finalized. Otherwise, the vehicle remains registered under the previous owner's name, leading to legal risks for both parties in case of violations. In reality, selling and using vehicles with existing license plates without transferring ownership carries the risk of being penalized when authorities increase inspections.
Authorities are planning to tighten ownership procedures. According to Beijing's new Non-Motorized Vehicle Management Regulations, effective May 1, 2026, owners must update registration information within 30 days of transferring ownership of a registered electric bicycle. The penalties for this violation have not yet been announced.
Key timeline
| Timeline | Action/Regulation |
|---|---|
| 1/12 | The regulations require vehicles to automatically shut off when exceeding the speed limit; limit the use of plastic; increase battery protection; and add tamper-proofing measures. |
| 1/5/2026 | Beijing requires registration updates within 30 days of the transfer; specific penalties have not yet been announced. |
Short conclusion
Tightening safety standards and speed controls are creating pressure for a shift in the electric bicycle market. In the short term, the number of tampered-with used bikes is trending upwards online, but this comes with legal risks as local authorities, including Beijing, prepare to tighten registration and ownership transfer procedures.
