Is it time to regulate e-bikes?

Experts warn how concessions galore may lead to a proliferation of battery-powered vehicles and eventual congestion on city roads

The concession given to electric vehicles below 250W power, where they are not required to be registered is leading to their proliferation. Experts have pointed out that concessions galore and no mandatory registrations could lead to uncontrolled congestion and low credibility of e-bikes.

Certain electric bikes get exemptions due to less power and a maximum speed of less than 25 kmph. Since it is a vehicle that runs on battery and does not pollute the environment, it does not require the driver to register it or carry a licence while riding.

“In Indian metros, considering the congestion on roads, it is essential to control the number of electric bikes. They may not be exceeding the speed limit, but they are sharing the road with other vehicles. Unless they are giving separate lanes, it is essential to regulate them to avoid accidents with other vehicles,” said Ajit Shenoy, senior transport expert with Mumbai Mobility Forum and Mumbai Vikas Samiti.

Senior urban transport planner Vivek Pai said e-bikes will not be a challenge to the road space, but safety should remain paramount and that authorities can do a road safety drive targeting e-bikes, and regulate them at dealers and sellers’ level. Expert Raxit Seth said manufacturers should stick to the given speed limits.

Use e-vehicle for deliveries

“They should at least be registered. Authorities should also make food and grocery delivery outlets use e-bicycles,” senior architect and commentator Jagdeep Desai said.

“We also need to factor in anti-social elements who can use such vehicles for chain snatching or such kind of crimes. It will be difficult to track them without registration,” social activist Chetan Bordawekar said.

“Many manufacturers are flouting the power and speed rules and enjoying the no-registration benefits. This needs to be checked at the manufacturing level. If this is put in place, we won’t see a mainstream proliferation of e-bikes,” said Paresh Rawal, public policy (transport) expert.

“Most of the world follows the norm of pedal electric cycles rated to ride up to the speed of 25 kmph (usually 250-500W motors) and a higher-powered type rated to ride at a speed over 25 kmph (750-1000W or higher). Indian customs have the same standards for imports. Higher powered e-bikes are tested for a licence plate. This covers imported vehicles. What it leaves out is imported parts being installed in lower-rated bicycles. As there are standards of size, it is impossible to tell if someone has a high-powered bicycle with a lower rating sticker attached to it, which makes the problem very tricky. High-powered motors should be imported only by licenced agencies who can instal them. The problem will exacerbate as we start manufacturing these in India and they get into all kinds of bicycles,” said transport expert Pranav Naik.

250w
Power up to which e-bikes are exempt from registration

Key questions

Jitendra Gupta of the Mumbai Transport Forum said e-bikes have been on the roads for a few months. He posed the following questions:
. Have there been accidents involving e-bikes? How many, how were they caused?
. Do they follow traffic signals/rules? Are there cases with traffic cops?
. Is the rider covered under insurance?

What govt says

Maharashtra’s Transport Commissioner Avinash Dhakne said e-bike operations were well within the framework of law. “The law permitted them as it is important to encourage and promote a green mode of transport to cut down fuel emissions,” he said.

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