China bans electric scooters, segways

Beijing, Aug 30 (IANS) Beijing has announced a ban on small electric vehicles plying on its streets after it was found that many of the vehicles lacked proper brakes and lights, and users often flouted the speed limit fixed for them.

According to China Radio International on Tuesday, first time offenders will be fined 10 yuan and issued a verbal warning to keep their vehicles off public areas, EFE news reported.

The ban comes barely a day after Beijing Consumers' Association published a study that said 19 out of the 20 electric vehicles investigated did not have proper brakes and 16 of them flouted the 20 kmph speed limit fixed for them.

Many of these vehicles also lacked lights, increasing the risks for other drivers and wayfarers after dark.

The ban comes as the popularity of electronic scooters and segways has soared in recent months as a way to circumvent major traffic in the city.

American brand Segway -- a pioneer in the manufacture of these electric vehicles that were used in Beijing by the police to patrol pedestrian areas such as the Tiananmen Square -- was acquired in 2015 by the Chinese robotic firm, Ninebot.

In recent months, Beijing has also restricted the movement of motorbikes and electric bikes in some of its major streets.