Effective September 1, 2025, the revised mandatory national standard Electric Bicycle Safety Technical Specification (GB 17761-2024) comes into force. The new standard strengthens requirements on vehicle safety, battery charging and tamper resistance, which directly affects the safety of every rider and their family.

1. What are the key changes?

The new standard continues to require a maximum design speed of no more than 25 km/h, with total vehicle mass, motor power and frame dimensions subject to mandatory national requirements. Vehicles must also have tamper-resistant design, and riders may not change vehicle performance by modifying the controller, removing the speed limit or replacing the battery with an oversized one.

For fire safety, the new standard imposes stricter limits on non-metallic materials. The total mass of combustible plastics may not exceed 5.5% of the vehicle mass, and batteries and chargers must include short-circuit protection and overcharge protection to reduce fire risks.

The standard also promotes the one vehicle, one battery, one charger, one code model, linking batteries and chargers to vehicle information. Buyers should check the vehicle certificate, CCC mark and battery code, and should not buy uncertified, unidentified or modified batteries.

2. Purchase and registration reminders in Shanghai

After buying a new-standard electric bicycle, riders should register the vehicle promptly. Shanghai requires electric bicycles to be registered and licensed. Newly purchased vehicles may be registered by appointment within 15 days through official channels such as the Suishenban app. Vehicles that are not registered or do not display a license plate may not be ridden on roads.

For existing vehicles that do not meet the new standard, please follow the transition policies announced by Shanghai traffic police. When buying a new vehicle, confirm the production date, certificate and sales documents, and purchase from a regular dealer to avoid vehicles that cannot be registered or used normally.

3. Safety recommendations

Electric bicycles should be parked in designated areas. Do not park or charge them in public lobbies, evacuation passages, stairwells or emergency exits, do not charge indoors or with improvised extension cords, and do not bring batteries into elevators.

Always wear a certified helmet, ride in the non-motorized lane, and do not run red lights, ride against traffic, speed or carry passengers illegally. In rainy weather, slow down and check brakes, tires and lights. If a battery becomes unusually hot, bulges or emits an odor, stop using it immediately and contact a professional service provider.

If you discover unsafe charging, improper extension-cord charging or sales of vehicles that do not meet the new standard, report it to local public security, fire or market regulation authorities to help maintain a safe and orderly environment.