Electric Bikes in China

[gliderpilot166]

Nice look at what's going on in China. Since you made your vid, motorscooters has been banned in all the larger cities due to the emissions, with low-cost electric scooters and bicycles taking hold. Also, many more Chinese are buying cars, and the traffic is really bad, especially in Guangzhou(Canton) and the other larger cities. If we can get the costs here under $1000, they would sell like hotcakes.

[rocbola]

Thanks for this video! I am an American, but i visited China in 2007 and was amazed to see electric/pedal hybrid bikes everywhere. I was fascinated, and eventually decided that i could transform a regular bicycle into one. I only live 3 miles from work, so it works for me, and i rarely ever have to buy overpriced, polluting gasoline anymore!

[keepaopenmind]

Cities are discouraging bikes and promoting cars? I've read the big cities in China are building metro transits. Encouraging cars seems to be a big mistake. Look how car addiction has destroyed the USA.. Thanks for the tip about S.H.E.. They're cool.

[Retro80Lady30]

Until this happens in the USA Obama's talk about people being overweight really doesn't mean anything. It all comes down to spending money, and making money the government doesn't care wether your fat or not. Though I think that if this was common here there would be lots of accidents.

[dd1122111]

I'd be interested to know what people in China are paying for their electric bikes. In the U.S. $1700 to $2200 seems pretty darned pricey. What's the cost of these bikes in China, and who is importing them to the U.S. for a decent price! Love em', just cant afford one yet.

[zyyu]

@dd1122111 AFAIK, the price range is 1000-4000 chinese yuan, now the currency exchange rate is 1 USD to ~6 CNY, so I would say $150-700 per e-bike, not bad, if you can stand the chinese quality --- but again the bike repair shops there are much less greedy than the ones in the US too.

[clearasvodka]

@dd1122111 Around 2,500 yuan for a nicely equiped new bike. That is about $399.

[samquan123]

well if you not go too far.. use the bite is better..

[glazierEd]

I use mine here in the U.S. more than I use my car. Because it is considered a Bicycle in the eyes of the government, you don't need to pay a yearly tax (Registration) like you would with a car or motorcycle. Also no need for Insurance. I'm sure once the government finds out how much money they are losing out on, they will classify them as a motorcycle, "To look out for our safety" One thing I hope, Maybe technology for batteries improves, we need more than twenty miles per charge.

[starknight97]

Man them peps need upgraded bikes. front and rear shocks, Then more e bikes Still way cheaper then cars.

[psvision]

u speak good chinese, impressive!

[minniafun]

Not all Chinese cities are like this...

I'm from HongKong, but i've lived in some other Chinese cities too.

It weird, coz i've never seen stuff like this in those cities... hahaha

but this is so funny! especially the beginning!

P.S YOUR MANDARIN IS GOOD

[minniafun]

Not all Chinese cities are like this...

I'm from HongKong, but i've lived in some other Chinese cities too.

It weird, coz i've never seen stuff like this in those cities... hahaha

but this is so funny! especially the beginning!

[angel64879]

I have a Mini 40 Mile Busettii bike and it runs 50-55 miles on one battery charge. I also tried my friends Vortex Mountain bike by Busettii. It ROCKS ! Can get up to 32 mph top speed, and on one charge that bike set the new record of 86 miles. Hope it becomes a big hit. In California many people like Busettii because they cost around $1700 but can go 50--86 miles on one charge depending on model. Maria in Cali

[brandontntbel1]

Holy Cow, Iv'e read alot of these comments about this video. From racist remarks, to the issue of global warming, and so forth. The problem with todays society, is that majority of them are affraid of change, and in denial of the ever changing world around us. They tend to think that the U.S. is far superior in technology, and when a 3rd world country such as Cina comes up with a viable solution to the transportation problems, they become frowned upon politicaly, and socially. This is really sad

[mercadotecnico]

What a noisy and contaminated city! yicks!

[bavardrahdar]

I am not sure how you are correlating co2 emissions, energy usage, and food donations. You have created a fallacy in order to avoid addressing the issue. I will infer that what you meant was-- because we have to grow so much food to donate to other countries, we use more energy than most other countries-- this still is untrue. The bulk of our energy usage does not come from our farms. It comes from cities, cars, planes, factories etc.. Think logically about it.

[starview1]

@bavardrahdar When thinking logically about it, the hockey stick concept of the man made global warming issue ignors the reality of what is actually occuring.ie. the hockey stick model is incorrect,inpart demonstrated by ice coreing samples taken around the world by various countries, solid proof that some other event is in the works

[bavardrahdar]

@starview1

So still not addressing the issue, you have moved to saying global warming does not exist. I believe this debate...if you can call it that is over. Good luck living your lie.

[starview1]

@bavardrahdar your missing the big picture, local use of technology, that whichis used by the everyday American is indicative of the freemarket availability to the folks.

person to person comparison to the everyday chinese individual shows that,rural china's population is lacking significantly in basic services in orders of magnitude.ie America uses more technology because it's available,and as it stands anyway china is the leader in CO2 production that is fact

[bavardrahdar]

@starview1

Aha! Finally you have made a logical argument. Although, it only proves my earlier point. Just because it is available to us and we use ti constantly does not excuse its effects on the earth and on our economy. Our per capita co2 emissions exceed that of most countries, chinas co2 emissions are so high because of its industry side...which mostly funds our insatiable consumerism here in the u.s.

[starview1]

@bavardrahdar do you know that global warming has occured many times in earths history ,when people were not present and that the earth is nowin one of those documented historical cycles.The human caused claim for global warming was also used in the 1970s in reverse as temperatures fell in the extreme cold of the 1970s.Human actvity was claimed to have caused that too ...and that also was incorrect.

[bavardrahdar]

@starview1

Lets not argue about whether or not global warming exists it is a stupid pointless argument, one in which neither side can convince the other, and by the time it actually matters you and I will be long dead and gone.

[starview1]

@bavardrahdar Ur 100% correct, the issue I have with the deal is some out there are mixing up politics with real science, for my part politics has no place in science.

I told a professor years ago that I thought Poly Sci class was a few steps below snake oil sales 101. That said, Have a nice day and thanks for your time

[sherifbatawy]

lol at the beginning of the video , i thought it's some kinda festival , protesters , rally or something

[macroinnovation]

gtg559b and anybody "liking" his statement is an idiot.

[macroinnovation]

The idea that the electricity power e-bikes causing pollution somewhere is NONSENSE. I own an ebike in the USA (Washington DC to be specific).  100% of my home electricity comes from WIND POWER.

[101zulu]

@gtg559b How is he being racist? o.0

[starview1]

China is the largest user of energy and produces more co2 than anyone else

[bavardrahdar]

@starview1

You are looking at this extremely uncritically. Your statement is true, yet proves nothing. Yes, China produces more co2 and consumes more energy than any other nation but this is simply because of sheer population. Their Per capita co2 emissions is way lower than most nations in fact they are way at the bottom of the list whereas we in the U.S. consistently rank in the top 10.

[starview1]

@bavardrahdar The overwhelming bulk of the burden in feeding the world’s starving poor remains with the United States and a small group of other predominately Western nations that takes energy

[bavardrahdar]

@starview1

>>>>>

[starview1]

@bavardrahdar Donor listings by WFP show that this year, as in every year since 1999, the U.S. is far and away the biggest aid provider to WFP. Since 2001, U.S. donations to the food agency have averaged more than $1.16 billion annually — or more than five times as much as the next biggest donor, the European Commission. That takes energy

[meyiyiyi55]

cars are just money for the government,they get no money from a healthy bicyclist.the air looks thick and dense with pollution,the lung disease in 20 years will bankrupt china.now thats impressive.

[hassmann2000]

i wish uk was like this. with more elec bikes.

[Saartje05]

Per person we have far more bikes in Holland than in China. Most people own two or three. We bought two electric bikes this weeks. I own three bikes myself now.

[nandansho]

Wo junggoua hua su hun hao! Whats a good thrifty brand Electric bike or Electric Bike Kit to buy?

[abuelo1984]

seria padre si mostraras educación

[GPLongXia]

@GOLF7014 Speak English damnit!

[justinleemiller]

I'm guessing for every 1 American we get onto a bike, there are 2 Chinese buying cars. The Chinese government is taking cues from the West, cars = robust economy.

[Zamboro]

Cynical guesses aren't the same as facts.

[holon67]

it'd be nice if you stfu and showed the goods

[joesephwind]

Great video and music, but please turn down the music, it's 3 times as loud as you are. Thanks!

[arnuxii]

Electric bikes would be popular but they are crippled by legislation where I am, only 300w is allowed

[MisterQuebec]

I can imagine riding those in winter. :)

[gerryboy101]

wow! great video. i'm researching on builing my own and glad i stumbled onto this:) this is a much greener way to go

[niunanfen]

hi, i am chinese, and living in china,

i think your chinese is bad, i can't understand you a word

[jxweinert]

I completely agree! Thank you for your constructive criticism

[bunkwheat]

Hi Niunanfen,

That might be but your written English qualifies as a kid in the third grade. You did go to school didn't you?

[ManRayDali]

But at least you can understand what he's talking about.

[cbarriac]

nobody use helmet

[urbanmanc]

It's giving 'women' great opportunites... how patronising ... BTW, normal cycles give off'zero emmisions' and do away with the need for gyms.

[Vayor]

Well normal cycles are even more energy saving than ebikes but if you rode a normal cycle up and down hills for 20 kms to work everyday you'll have complaints from colleagues of stinking up the office! There are ample disincentives for people to ride a bike to work. Ebikes might just remove some of those disincentives for people and encourage more people to bike it. Personally I'd be inclined to pedal most of the time but use the motor for up hill assistance. Nothing wrong with that is there?

[urbanmanc]

You're assuming most work in an office, and of course if employment law insisted employers provided changing facilities(showers etc) it wouldn't be a problem.

The electricity used to power cycles causes pollution somewhere, 20km isn't too far for the averagely fit person.

Electric bikes do have a part to play and are far superior to cars, but if the whole of china transferred from pedal to electric it would have massive environmental consequences.

[Vayor]

I'm talking about the western world actually. I find it unnecessary seeing people driving alone in a four wheel drive to work everyday. With all the modern conveniences of western living, are you seriously going to begrudge the Chinese (I'm Australian so I'm responsible for about 2.4 times as much CO2 emissions on average) an electric motor? Why don't we just ban plasma televisions?

[urbanmanc]

The conveniences of western living, has destroyed communites,destroyed the health of nations and destroyed the environment, I don't want to see china or India suffer the same problems. The 'car' shouldn't be a status symbol, good health and happiness should. In the UK 40% of car journeys are less than 4miles,cycles and a clean cheap public transport system is the way forward.

[Vayor]

I agree but the problem is societal attitudes. When everyone is poor the last thing you want to do is to be seen as poor. Get a new watch and live in Sydney, no one cares. Get a new watch living in a rural villiage in a developing country and that's the most exciting thing that's happened all year. Whenever I visit relatives in Shanghai I'm always struck by how much more designer clothes and handbags I see around.

[Vayor]

Tell them they're being idiots and that they've got their priorities backwards and they'll just say 'is that a new BMW in your driveway westerner?' But maybe electric bikes can represent sensibility, concern for the environment as well as being successful. I probably hate materialism as much as you urbanmanc but the reality is it's got many many worshippers and they're devoted. You can't persuade them with logic, but if you play their game well you might be able to have a few positive results.

[Vayor]

The other problem is that in most developing Asian economies owning a car is the next big status symbol for success. In Bangkok for example it is often faster to walk to work than drive due to the appalling traffic but people wouldn't dream of doing something so cras as using their legs. If China is going the way of Thailand then we'll only see more and more cars when a bike will do. If e-bikes can be seen as a trendy symbol as well they might just keep a few cars off the roads.

[alafuw]

suppose it's also true that in most Asian cities such as Bangkok, it's dangerous to bike. UNESCO Bangkok's website plainly states to its foreign staff coming to work in Bangkok that cycling in Bangkok is for the suicidal.

Walking is ok but the weather in Bangkok is so warm that one will perspire profusely and feel uncomfortable once he reaches his workplace.

In Beijing however, cycling is something common and the weather is not as oppressive so these bikes could work there.

[flameandrings]

yeah, i was there in 2003 and just started to see some ebikes, i just got back from shanghai and now EVERYONE rides these things. I estimate about 25-30% on normal bikes depending on where you are. Mostly kids ride normal bikes. I saw several guys with 10-5gal bottle waters on the back, thats a lot of weight. They are getting bigger and stronger but still poor quality for the most part. Modern society is the ebike. They should raise the limit in US to 25mph but require helmet for all ebikes.

[ManRayDali]

The rules vary by state. Here in California e-bikes are allowed to go up to 20 or 25mph (I forget which) More powerful ones have to be registered with the DMV as mopeds.

[38305170]

This is in fact very interesting. This is a very new invation (timevice). For in instant in our countryis in Scandinavia ,Europe this invention is very little known.This is the road developments have to go. when the price and economic situation is showing that there i another alternative that you can affored than peopel start to react.

This is a new development (for me and may by 99.9 % of mancaind) adjusted to the posibilite mancaind have in tha futere.

Kenneth ,57in Sweden.

[lucywarner]

No one is fat there.

[312868541]

hey lucywarner people no fat poeple because they are not wealthy. i lived in shanghai and most rich people there are larger, poor people are more bonny. So the more money you have the more you can eat. Matter of fact the rate of heart attacks,diabetes, and weight related issues has risen by 50% in china. IF you ride a bike you are perceived as poor. A car is status. like a Rollsroyce and a bmx.

[nurazah70]

ijust bought one electric bicycle yesterday` and its really running smooth and i no need to pay for the fuel.some more its very-very useful

[knightspy]

fact is there are over a 1000 elctric bike/scooter makers in china , some will run 140 kph and average 90-120 kilometers per charge- 350/500/800/1200/2000/2500/300­0/3500/4000/7000 watt models are for sale lit-ion batterys are good for an average of 1000 charges -speed is not a problem when there are electric bikes that can run near 90mph speed -e-max L190- is an example of a fast electric , but even a smaller one can run 50-60mph, for over 75-90 kilometers about45 -60 miles per charge

[wiscokiddd]

Look at all the views some of these electric bike video clips are getting? How many of them go faster than a bona fide 27 miles per hour and can go for over 10 miles per charge without pedaling a stroke? The Electric Horse™ does and I have a patent pending on a better looking and functioning model that will be approved some time in June. Sad to see all these people wasting $ on ? bikes instead of the answer bike Wiscokiddd: Electric Horse(tm) on you tube!

[yomomatsu]

I was hoping this video would be about piece of shit Chinese falling off their bikes and getting run over by cars.

[NVS582]

i saw these in india and its a good way to say gas i guess

[packard12]

Great video. Hope you visit Century Park while there.

[emrldz]

this isnt new, theyve been in china for ages

[danplasma]

wow,I'm thinking of going... do they have happy ending parlors over there?

[drivin98]

Great video! Thanks a lot!

[mesmerizeme]

cool dude love it!!! 5 star

[matthias2986]

i drive an audi a4, i used to drive 30 miles a day to work, now i live close enough to work to ride a bike, i checked my cars computer thing that shows avg speed, 17.3 mph... and elctric bike can go faster then that, my point being, you can get around town on a bike just as fast as if took a car, if not quicker...

[kching]

Hi. Ironically, its the speed of the electric bikes which is hindering its growth, because its hard to classify them. Are they a car or a bicycle? For safety policy work, it becomes a real headache.

[inuyagami]

Es increible ver como tanta gente ayuda (sea po no tener dinero o por lo q sea? en contra del cambio climatico las bicicletas son el futuro..

[olive126]

nice

[glenoz]

Its great to see so many bikes on the road but its worrying that the Government there thinks its more advanced to use one ton of metal to move a person around.

[knightspy]

goverment does not drive the consumers in china its a capitalist nation , people are people as anywhere some what the large car for the prestige

[k3v1nl1984]

i was also born in this city, but i am now far from home, at Cape Town precisely, hope to go back in June.

[mohalive]

thats the futur

[packard12]

Very interesting.  I enjoyed my visit to Shijiazhuang and it was fun watching your bike ride. xie xie

[rockymountainer]

China, the Kingdom of Bicycle. Electric bikes are great for the Chinese people.

[kiwi29]

I waz born in this city

[DeeJayQuick]

Great documentary video. Love it. The citizens are so nice people. They look great in bikes. I don't why the government wants cars in a country of billions.

[amoniacarater]

Cool!

[ManRayDali]

I love to see large groups of people riding bikes. Personally, I want to see cars & trucks become less common and human/electric vehicles take their place for everyday 1-person-going-to-work/shoppin­g use. Governments want more people to use cars because cars generate more tax money. But to reduce air pollution and encourage good health, bikes are the best! (IMHO)

[MisterQuebec]

I sold my car because I was using it mostly just to go to work. Instead of taking me 10 minutes to go to work, it takes me 30 minutes The bus takes 35 minutes, taking in consideration the waiting time. Someone said I should take the bus in winter. Not a good idea. I'll be waiting 20 minutes or more in the cold while I'll be all warmed up after a few minutes of cycling. And I save like $300 a month (gas, insurance, repairs, etc.). Better put that money for a future house.

[davidherron444]

I made my comments on my blog: http://www.7gen.com/blog/re-el­ectric-bikes-china/1581

[ajb905]

Excellent music video jxweinert1. Your looking stylish as always!