Hanoi states reasons for wanting to regulate electric bicycles like motorcycles

Arbitrarily upgrading the speed of electric bicycles

While traveling on the road, commuters are frequently startled by electric bicycles speeding, running red lights, and riders not wearing helmets. According to a survey on several streets in Hanoi right in the first days of the new school year, many students and children were using electric bicycles in traffic. On major thoroughfares such as Tran Phu, Nguyen Trai, and Truong Chinh, quite a large number of electric bicycles pass by.

Most of these vehicles are ridden by middle school students and women at speeds no different from motorcycles. In the late afternoon, many road sections see students riding in groups of 3–4 vehicles, including under-50cc motorcycles, licensed electric scooters, and electric bicycles (with pedals). Many groups of students ride abreast in rows, joking around while riding, and frequently cross the street without using turn signals.

Beyond rider awareness when using electric bicycles, an alarming ongoing issue is that many reckless riders have arbitrarily modified the vehicle structure, specifically boosting the speed to 40–50km/h. Meanwhile, the braking system remains identical to that of an ordinary bicycle. Consequently, when a collision occurs between a student riding an electric bicycle and other traffic participants, it can lead to severe traffic accidents.

N.H.L (a high school student in Nam Tu Liem District) revealed: "Actually, we prefer riding motorcycles over electric bicycles because of the higher speed. Our parents don't let us ride motorcycles for fear of danger, so for the past few years, I've only ridden an electric bicycle. Hearing from friends that the vehicle's speed could be boosted up to 45km/h, I was so excited that I immediately took my bike to get it done, and also added a few cosmetic touches while I was at it. My parents at home have no idea I upgraded the bike's speed because you can't tell from the outside."

Meanwhile, observations on several suburban roads in Hanoi show that a similar situation is quite widespread. In fact, many students there ride electric bicycles with broken parts and missing turn signals. In some cases, female students even wear conical hats instead of helmets while riding electric bicycles.

Reportedly, there are currently over 7,000 electric bicycles in Hanoi, with usage trends rising rapidly, especially among students. This is a newer mode of transport used with functions similar to electric scooters or motorcycles (capable of reaching speeds up to 50km/h).

Meanwhile, in the electric bicycle and electric scooter market, several loopholes exist regarding vehicle classification that easily mislead consumers, especially the type of electric vehicle that dealers call "small bull" bikes. Assembly workshops have exploited legal loopholes to disguise low-end electric scooters as high-end electric bicycles for profit. Notably, these vehicles lack certification documents as electric scooters, so when purchasing them, consumers are told in advertisements that license plate registration is not required.

Notably, according to a representative of the Vietnam Register, nationwide there are currently over 310,000 electric bicycles certified as meeting standards and permitted to be sold on the market and operated on roads, most of which are domestically manufactured and assembled. In reality, however, the actual number of electric bicycles is many times higher due to underground manufacturing and assembly or smuggling.

Electric bicycles should be classified as motor vehicles

Electric bicycles should be classified as motor vehicles

Recently, the Hanoi People's Committee proposed regulating electric bicycles similarly to motorcycles. In the proposal submitted to the Prime Minister, Hanoi's specialized agency stated clearly: In recent years, electric bicycles have become a popular mode of transport for everyone from high school students to older adults in cities.

In particular, electric bicycles have recently become the favorite mode of transport among young people in Hanoi and nationwide because they require no driver's license and cost nothing for gasoline while still running at speeds comparable to motorcycles. Managing electric bicycles in the same way as motor vehicles is necessary.

However, under current regulations, electric bicycles are not classified as road motor vehicles, so there is insufficient legal basis to implement "management of electric bicycles similar to motorcycles." Therefore, Hanoi proposed that the Prime Minister consider assigning the Ministry of Transport to add electric bicycles to the category of "road motor vehicles" in the amended Road Traffic Law.

Agreeing with this proposal, a representative of the Vietnam Register stated that although classified as rudimentary vehicles, electric bicycles are essentially motor-driven vehicles, and numerous traffic accidents involving electric bicycles have occurred recently. Therefore, regulations in the Road Traffic Law regarding electric bicycles need to be amended to classify them as motor vehicles for vehicle and traffic management, helping curb traffic accidents.

From the perspective of a traffic expert, Dr. Pham Sanh argued that treating electric bicycles as motor vehicles requires dedicated regulations and separate infrastructure rather than simply mandating registration and inspection. Therefore, thorough research is needed before implementation to avoid half-hearted enforcement. Dr. Sanh also emphasized that electric bicycle quality should be controlled at the manufacturer level, while homemade and illegally modified vehicles must face strict penalties.

Source: Giadinh.net