In the EVs forum, I posted about Hong Kongs quite conservative stance on EVs in Hong Kong, namely Segways, pedal assist bikes and so on.
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/31815-Electric-bikes-allowed-regulated-or-banned
Even the tiniest little toy with a motor to help propel it, is illegal in Hong Kong, no matter what limited power it has, it's weight and especially, it's top speed (whether limited by the motor, or electronically).
Three months imprisonment for a first offence, a bit stiff for doing something which is legal, although often regulated, in something like 98% of the world *)
The discussion is also including, what is perceived as a public area, with regard to using EVs in Hong Kong?
A fenced off area in an exhibition centre? A golf course? The airport terminal (airside area)? Private marinas? Estates with guarded access for residents and their guests only?
At the airport, I found two different EVs.
One is the buggy type cart, which propels people to and from gates, against a fee of 50 HKD pr person as far as I know. These vehicles have something which resembles license plates, white front, yellow rear, although smaller in size than those found on road vehicles. Are these really approved and licensed by the HK TD? I asked the driver of this one, whether or not it would require a drivers license to drive it and he replied "yes, of course!"
(Not sure why the orientation isn't the same as on the Mac, must be some EXIF rotate issue)
Well, then, how about these, used to move baggage carts around at the airport:
Clearly electric vehicles, they are not pedal powered, but have batteries and motors.
So why are these without license plates? Do they require the "driver" to have a driving license?
Maybe they are exempt if you don't sit or stand on them, but walk next to them.
For Hong Kong to be a better place, with cleaner air, it is vital that we fight to move more and more of the transportation requirements off fossil fuel power and onto electric power or other clean platforms. At the same time, solar and wind power, of which there is plenty available in Hong Kong, should be allowed, and even promoted, so we can move towards a self sustainable and clean Hong Kong. Why aren't rooftops and other surfaces facing the sun, plastered in solar panels? Why is there one (1) wind turbine on Lamma Island, as the only source of electric wind power in Hong Kong? Maybe there are more, if so, they are hidden quite well.
*) (Hong Kong and New York are the only two states in the world I have found so far, entirely banning e-bikes etc. Maybe North Korea also bans electric assist bikes?)
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/31815-Electric-bikes-allowed-regulated-or-banned
Even the tiniest little toy with a motor to help propel it, is illegal in Hong Kong, no matter what limited power it has, it's weight and especially, it's top speed (whether limited by the motor, or electronically).
Three months imprisonment for a first offence, a bit stiff for doing something which is legal, although often regulated, in something like 98% of the world *)
The discussion is also including, what is perceived as a public area, with regard to using EVs in Hong Kong?
A fenced off area in an exhibition centre? A golf course? The airport terminal (airside area)? Private marinas? Estates with guarded access for residents and their guests only?
At the airport, I found two different EVs.
One is the buggy type cart, which propels people to and from gates, against a fee of 50 HKD pr person as far as I know. These vehicles have something which resembles license plates, white front, yellow rear, although smaller in size than those found on road vehicles. Are these really approved and licensed by the HK TD? I asked the driver of this one, whether or not it would require a drivers license to drive it and he replied "yes, of course!"
(Not sure why the orientation isn't the same as on the Mac, must be some EXIF rotate issue)
Well, then, how about these, used to move baggage carts around at the airport:
Clearly electric vehicles, they are not pedal powered, but have batteries and motors.
So why are these without license plates? Do they require the "driver" to have a driving license?
Maybe they are exempt if you don't sit or stand on them, but walk next to them.
For Hong Kong to be a better place, with cleaner air, it is vital that we fight to move more and more of the transportation requirements off fossil fuel power and onto electric power or other clean platforms. At the same time, solar and wind power, of which there is plenty available in Hong Kong, should be allowed, and even promoted, so we can move towards a self sustainable and clean Hong Kong. Why aren't rooftops and other surfaces facing the sun, plastered in solar panels? Why is there one (1) wind turbine on Lamma Island, as the only source of electric wind power in Hong Kong? Maybe there are more, if so, they are hidden quite well.
*) (Hong Kong and New York are the only two states in the world I have found so far, entirely banning e-bikes etc. Maybe North Korea also bans electric assist bikes?)