Electric Bikes and Scooters in Beijing

[Lao Jia Hou]

What kind of range do these scooters have? Could we ride from Wudaokou to Chaoyang and back with one?

You could probably make it from WDK to Sanlitun/CBD and back, once, before requiring a recharge. However, you can purchase upgraded batteries that are designed for distance. You would need to talk with one of the shops about the options. A place like Carrefour or Metro would have no idea about upgraded battery options. I've heard that there is a shop selling upgrade kits that permit a range of 200 kms (hmmmm, probably with no hills, no head wind, no stop & go traffic, and a 50 gram gerbil riding it at 5 km/h)

Can you recommend a specific (reputable) store or area to look for a scooter?

I wish I could help, but my experience has been that one day the shop I frequent provides great service, the next day it is awful. Hit & miss. I would definitely go to a shop that sells ONLY e-bikes, though, as opposed to Carrefour where the salesperson might have just been rotated out of women's lingerie.

I think we've decided on one that has pedals, in the off-chance something goes wrong with the battery while we are out.

Smart move. What will certainly "go wrong with the battery" is you will run out of charge. It has happened to me a few times. My e-scooter has pedals but they are completely useless (only designed into the scooter so that it will fall into the category of an electric bicycle).

There is no perfect bike. It is always trade-offs.

... the battery was light enough for my wife to carry easily.

This is VERY important - I hate carrying my battery around. Just hate it.

The sales guy said it lasted 5 years.

I bet he was talking in "dog years". If you are like everyone else who doesn't follow the rigorous regiment of treating the battery like a newborn baby, it will last a year or two.

I don't really like this style though because the rear seat requires the passenger to ride side-saddle.

In my view, the very best bike is one that you use all the time because it is comfortable. An uncomfortable bike is dangerous because it makes you angry & that is not the correct frame of mind to be in when you are navigating Beijing traffic.

... with a huge lead acid battery, probably a bit to heavy for my wife to carry ...

Mine is a huge lead acid battery, and I hate carrying that ridiculously heavy thing around. But, it is a necessary evil, because I really enjoy riding the larger scooter style I have. And I have no problem taking a passenger, although it does drain the battery more quickly.

You may want to see if you can try out a few, either borrowing friends, renting, or even buying cheap used ones that you resell if you do not like. Many shops have used ones that they will buy back from you for 100 rmb less, or so, after a week if the shop knows you want to buy a new one at some point.

Happy riding.