China's cyclists take charge: electric bicycles are selling by the millions despite efforts to ban them

Electric bikes continue to grow in popularity in China despite being banned in some key cities. These bikes provide an attractive option for commuters, service people and couriers who have a need for motorized personal transportation. A major obstacle for the widespread use of electric bikes, however, is the lack of enough bike lanes. While road widening projects are being implemented, these are primarily aimed to accommodate the increasing number of automobiles in the city streets. Nevertheless, experts are optimistic that the electric bikes will ultimately prevail because of the adverse environmental and health effects of automobiles and the rising cost of petroleum products.