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Chinese Love e-Bikes for Reasons that Transcend Economics

Bagatelle-Black makes reference to two non-economic reasons that Chinese want e-bikes.  He mentions that urban apartment dwellers can haul folding e-bikes upstairs to their apartments, eliminating problems with street-level parking.  Also, he refers to the easier regulations governing vehicles that can be propelled by muscular power.

There are many more reasons that may also be as important as price.

First, Chinese find real, non-economic value in personal transport that is not noisy, greasy, and dirty.

It is easy to understand.  Well-groomed and fashionably-dressed professional young office workers and businesspeople commuting to work and on errands prefer clean and quiet e-bikes to noisy, greasy and dirty motorbikes -- even ones running on alternative fuels -- that are more likely to leave their clothes and hands dirty and smelling of oil and exhaust ... and that would drown out their mobile phone conversations.

Second, Chinese want uncomplicated bikes that are easy to operate, maneuver and maintain.

Both men and women tend to be lighter in weight here than in the West.  Lighter riders prefer lighter bikes that are easier for them to maneuver.

For these people, choosing a light e-bike over a heavy motorbike is a safety issue. 

They consider also that on an e-bike they are much less likely to suffer injury in a high-energy accident. 

In addition, both men and women here assign value to the ease of operation and maintenance of e-bikes.  They do not want a complicated motorbike with comparatively complex controls, systems and parts, and with the difficulties and service requirements that internal-combustion engines have.

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