Electric bikes have become an essential mode of transportation for millions of people in China, with one e-bike for every four individuals on average. However, the rising number of safety incidents involving these vehicles has sparked calls for stricter regulation to ensure their safety and convenience.

On January 13, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced the release of the revised mandatory national standard "Technical Specifications for the Safety of Electric Bicycles" (GB 17761-2024). Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Security, the Emergency Management Department, State Administration for Market Regulation and China Fire and Rescue, this updated standard will take effect on September 1, 2025, replacing the 2018 version.  

The new standard introduces a series of significant improvements:

Enhanced fire resistance: Non-metallic materials, such as seat cushions, textiles, and electrical wires, must meet stricter fire-retardant requirements. 

Plastic usage limits: The total plastic weight in an e-bike should not exceed 5.5% of the vehicle's total weight.  

Performance optimization: New technical benchmarks have been added, including torque for low-speed motor operation and anti-tampering measures for batteries, controllers, and speed limiters.  

Improved braking: Shorter maximum braking distances will enhance vehicle safety.  

Weight adjustment: E-bikes using lead-acid batteries can now weigh up to 63 kg, up from the previous limit of 55 kg.  

Quality control: Manufacturers must demonstrate robust production capabilities and maintain consistency in quality for critical components such as frames and batteries.  

Smart features: All e-bikes will be required to include Beidou positioning and safety monitoring features. However, for non-commercial use, buyers can choose to disable the positioning module at purchase.  

Design flexibility: Pedal installation is no longer mandatory for all models, allowing manufacturers to adapt designs based on specific use cases. Additionally, installing rearview mirrors is now encouraged.  

Lifespan marking: Manufacturers must specify the recommended service life of e-bikes on product labels and certificates of conformity.  

To facilitate the transition, the new standards provide an eight-month production adjustment period. Until August 31, 2025, manufacturers can produce e-bikes according to either the old or new standard. From September 1, 2025, all new e-bikes must comply with the revised standards. An additional three-month sales grace period will allow old-standard models produced before the deadline to remain on the market until November 30, 2025.  

Consumers with older e-bikes that do not meet the new standards will not be forced to discard them. Local governments may implement incentive programs, such as trade-in schemes, to encourage upgrades while minimizing resource waste.