Riding practices of e-bike riders after the implementation of electric bike management regulations: An observational study in Hangzhou, China

Objective: This study aimed to understand the riding behaviors of electric bike (e -bike) users in Hangzhou after the "Regulations of Zhejiang Province on the Administration of Electric Bicycles". Methods: The study consisted of two parts, including a questionnaire survey of local e -bike users in Shangcheng District and Jiande County in Hangzhou City, and a cross-sectional observational study of 16 intersections. Results: A total of 789 e -bike riders participated in the questionnaire survey, and the riding behavior of 99,407 e -bike users was observed. The main purpose of using e -bike was work and daily life, 46.0% of them used e -bikes more than 5 days a week, and 58.5% used e -bikes for less than 30 min each time. A vast majority (81.7%) of e -bike riders believe that the implementation of Zhejiang Regulations has significantly improved the safety level of e -bike riding in the region. The field survey found that the correct rates of helmet wearing by e -bike riders and passengers were 78.83% and 42.27%. The main violations were invalid/non-helmet wearing (21.17%), followed by carrying passengers and running red lights (7.94% and 4.26%). The rates of invalid/ non -helmet wearing and running red lights were significantly higher during non -morning rush hour, weekends, and roads without separate non -motorized vehicle lanes than in other conditions (all P < 0.05). Additionally, sunny days and crossroads were risk factors for passenger -carrying and invalid/non-helmet wearing compared to rainy/cloudy days and T -intersections. Conclusions: The phenomenon that e -bike users' correct practice lags far behind the awareness of various violations has shown some improvement. To further enhance safety measures for e -bike riders, it is necessary to promote education, improve infrastructure, and strengthen law enforcement, in support of the "Zhejiang Regulations" and behavioral interventions.