Chinese people sustaining the e-bike trend

China has become an easy target for carbon watchdogs. As the world's largest automobile market, with 4.7 million cars in Beijing alone, the country's cities have become synonymous with smog and gridlock.

But on their quest for a more convenient commute, Beijing residents have unwittingly ignited a green transportation trend. Is it sustainable? Teresa Tang reports.

There is nothing quite like it. Beijing's roads are transformed into battlegrounds every morning as millions crush onto the streets. Tempers teeter on the brink of meltdown. Every inch of asphalt is coveted real estate. And tucked among the chaos, is Li De Hua. He doesn't find this daily ritual daunting at all, because he is part of China's increasingly electrically mobile middle class.

Before he enters the throbbing crowds, this is how he starts his day. Fresh after a night of recharging his batteries - literally.

Two months ago De Hua's patience ran out. He lives 30 kilometers away from the television studio where he works as an editor. Riding the bus used to take him an hour. On his electric bike -- only 20 minutes.

Li Dehua, electric bike rider, said, "In the morning I can leave according to my own schedule. I don't have to wait for the bus. It takes half the time. It's much more reliable. "

He says the $461 he spent on his e-bike was an investment. It's silent, fuel and financially efficient and best of all doesn't leave him at the mercy of the city's congestion.

This is what commuting in China looked like three decades ago. About 60% of the population relied on pedal power. But as the country's economy began to surge, it was soon replaced with horse power.

China is now the world's largest automobile market. By the 1990s, too many cars and too little space provided the perfect market-in for electric bike manufacturers and sellers, like Ms. Yang.

Yang Lianhe from Huo Yan Niao Bike Shop, said, " It's difficult to drive because of the traffic jams. E-bikes are similar to regular bicycles but people say it's too tiring using their own strength to cycle so this is more convenient. "

Like the bikes on her lot, her sales pitch is slick. She sells about 6 units a day but today, Mr Zhang didn't need much convincing. The home refurbisher has lived in Beijing for 10 years and says he's run out of options.

Mr Zhang, e-bike buyer, said, "I can't afford a car, taxis are expensive, the bus takes a different route and walking will take too long."

Electric bikes fall into two categories - those that run less than 40km/h look like your average bicycle-- if the battery runs out the functioning pedals can take over. Others look like motorcycles and hit even higher speeds. Neither requires a license so buyers drive them right off the lot-- and critics say, right into very dangerous situations. Mr Zhao is a taxi driver and spends over 10 hours a day on the roads. E-bikes are his biggest concern.

Mr Zhao, taxi driver, said, "The problem is they drive too fast. They should only drive 40 km/h. They go so fast pedestrians may not notice them so they can't react to them. Car drivers could hit them. "