I am in Yangzhou, Jiangsu, one of the smaller richer cities.
I was told older bikes have plates allowing them in the city CBD....
But if I buy a new bike, I MUST be a resident, (or know someone with an address,) in the West of the city.
And can only really ride around that western district, no city center, no freeway action either.

Its a shame, here the Ebikes swarm like locusts, they do not have to be registered, and seem to have the run of the roads.
I have been told if one hits me while driving a car, I will have a hard time getting any justice.
Although I have seen a crowd encircle a woman on an E bike who hit a taxi, refused to pay the 200 yuan demanded!
And the crowd did not let her escape, telling her it had all been caught on traffic camera, and she must pay.
It is so frustratingly obvious it is the ludacrous numbers of rogue E bikes that cause the traffic chaos here. Really jerks my chain!
But I have learnt a lesson today, TIC, this is China! I just have to harden up ;)