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If you are looking for clarification on the new e-bike situation as of April 15, you are not alone. We did a lot of digging and local police, driving schools, e-bike manufacturers, , a traffic warden and even some random scooter drivers all gave different answers when asked about what they should do about the new rules and who will be affected by it. Click through for what we found.

The most common view was told to us by two electric scooter/e-bike manufacturers, who said that if you have a bike that is heavier than 55kg or does over 25km/h then all you need is registered plates and you won’t be affected by new rules. They will only apply to those buying a bike like this AFTER April 15.

However, a said that all of those bikes (light electric scooters was their terminology), purchased before April 15 or after, will be subject to fines without the proper paperwork.

One conclusion is that the scooters that pretty much everyone rides around town will no longer be classed as ‘e-bikes’ after April 15, if they ever were. E-bikes will be those electric bicycles you see with pedals and do not need a license or insurance as long as they fit the new standards. Bikes like this will be the only ones you can drive without a license post-April 15.

So what should you do? Keep necessary documentation on you at all times, and definitely don’t drive around on an unregistered bike/moped/e-bike/scooter/spaceship (find out how to register ). Obey the rules of the road, don’t give police a reason to stop you, and if you’re worried about the license situation then head to a driving school with your bike specs and inquire if you need to take a test. It costs roughly 400rmb for the practical test and a written one. Training sessions cost more.

These crackdowns normally involve a week or two of intensive cracking then a period of easing off, so if you decide to do nothing and risk it then that’s your prerogative, but don’t say we didn’t warn you! More information will probably come out closer to the date.