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China's New Spin on an Old Idea
by Mark Ellis
China is quickly emerging as a world leader of technology. Breaking new boundries daily, the Chinese are taking old ideas and quickly converting them into industries and ideas that definitely have value. If you were to visit China today, you would see crowded streets, jammed with cars and trucks as the Chinese go about their daily business. However, if you were to look more closely you would also see another type of traffic emerging, with a new technology.
A new, grass roots movement has emerged in China, mostly out of the necessity for cheaper means of transportation. Within one city limit of China there are an estimated 1 million electric bicycles (or ebikes as they are commonly referred to ) moving along well the groomed bicycle paths. The only reason why a tourist would automatically notice an electric bicycle or scooter is because of what they do not have; noisy engines and tail pipes sputtering fumes. The only motion that the rider is making on one of these electric bikes is their wrist, as the bike speeds happily along at 10 to 20 km per hour.
Even though China is beginning to embrace western business principles and ideas, it is obvious that the Chinese, much like the rest of the world, are in love with cars. Despite this fact, many Chinese are either not affluent enough or may simply realize the value of alternative modes of travel.
According to the China Bicycle Association, the Chinese purchased an estimated 8 million electric bicycles in the year 2006, which is a number that has doubled since 2003. The estimate for the year 2007 will top 10 million units and the Chinese manufactures see no end in sight for this trend, as they continue to ship ebikes to the rest of the world as well. As Chinese cities grow larger, the obvious need for cheaper transportation in commuting is being realized.
The electric bicycle is quickly becoming a major player in these cities for several reasons. The cost of an electric bike is far cheaper than a car. In U.S. Dollars, the average motorized electric bicycle will run between $180.00 and $360.00 U.S. dollars in China, which is far cheaper than a car. Also, the Chinese find the vehicles far more convenient in terms of saving time in long lines at fuel stations.
Despite the solid embrace electric bicycles are receiving around the world, the United States is slow to jump in on the craze. Several reasons have been cited for this, to include; lack of bike paths and longer commutes to work. But as technology improves and Americans become more educated on alternative forms of transportation, it will only be a matter of time before we climb on board and grasp this technology with both hands.
©Mark Ellis 2007
