How cool are electric bicycles? Not all that cool, according to cartage authorities in China, area the cardinal of e-bikes climbed from 50,000 a year ago to maybe 120 actor today. That’s an absurd adoption rate, and there has been an increase in the number of deaths involving e-bikes to go along with it, from fewer than three dozen in 2001 to 2,469 in 2007. One reason for the deaths is that drivers don’t need a license to maneuver an e-bike down the streets – at up to 25 miles per hour – and riders don’t follow traffic laws, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Authorities in China have tried various ways to limit the number of electric bikes, everything from outright bans to handing out lots of tickets for unregistered or otherwise illegal bikes. Still, because they’re affordable and a fast way to get around in the crowded cities, e-bikes remain popular. For a while, the national government heavily promoted e-bikes as a sensible solution in urban areas, but the bloom has come off the rose, as it were.

How might China’s electric bike situation affect plug-in transportation around the globe? Currently, best of the e-bikes (or are they electric scooters?) use lead acid batteries, but versions with li-ion batteries are coming. Sure, there’s allegedly a lot of lithium around, but lithium array assembly ante won’t access overnight. Finding 120 actor new li-ion packs, alike baby ones for bicycles, will booty at atomic a little cavity out of the all-embracing market. Check out a video of e-bikes in China after the jump. Thanks to Throwback for the tip!

Maybe a helmet law is in order? They already have masks on. With no license plate, I could pinch people off all day. Maybe put on some boots and kick a few of those pedal bikes as I go by. No one could catch me if I had the fastest bike or scooter. No regulations are needed, survival of the fit-est or fastest. Perhaps I could put a cow catcher on the advanced of my e scooter/bike. Where is the love?