New Beijing rules for delivery e-bikes take effect Friday

A new regulation governing electric bicycles used in Beijing's courier and food delivery sectors will take effect on Friday, introducing stricter requirements on vehicle registration, battery safety, and delivery platform algorithms.

Under the regulation, electric bicycles used for courier and food delivery services must be officially registered and display dedicated license plates. They may only be used for delivery services.

The rules also prohibit bringing electric bicycles or their batteries into elevators or residential buildings because of fire safety concerns.

Delivery platforms are required to optimize their algorithms and must not recommend illegal routes, such as traveling against traffic or entering restricted roads.

The regulation was jointly issued in late July by the Beijing Bureau of Commerce, the Beijing Postal Administration, the Beijing Public Security Bureau's Traffic Management Bureau, and the Beijing Fire and Rescue Bureau. It establishes standardized management of electric bicycles throughout the courier and food delivery sector.