What is the minimum age requirement for riding an electric bicycle?
2 Answers
To ride an electric bicycle on the road, one must be at least 16 years old. The following are the relevant legal provisions: Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law: To ride a bicycle or tricycle on the road, one must be at least 12 years old; to ride an electric bicycle or a motorized wheelchair for the disabled, one must be at least 16 years old. Article 70 of the Road Traffic Safety Law: When riding a bicycle, electric bicycle, or tricycle across a motor vehicle lane on a road section, the rider should dismount and push the vehicle. Where there is a crosswalk or pedestrian crossing facility, the rider should use the crosswalk or pedestrian crossing facility. Where there is no crosswalk, no pedestrian crossing facility, or it is inconvenient to use a pedestrian crossing facility, the rider should cross directly after confirming safety.
I remember when I was a kid, my mom always said you had to be at least 16 years old to ride an e-bike on the road. Now that I'm a father myself, I understand the importance of this regulation even more. There was a 13-year-old kid in our neighborhood who secretly rode one and ended up crashing into a roadside tree, breaking his leg and spending weeks in the hospital. These regulations aren't set without reason—minors might not have quick enough reflexes or enough road experience, making them prone to serious accidents. As a parent, I make sure my kids wait until they're old enough before buying them equipment, and I always teach them to wear helmets and obey traffic lights. In short, safety comes first, 16 is the minimum age, and we should never take risks by starting earlier.
