A small troupe of young Chinese are turning away from e-bikes and public transport toward an unexpected mode of transportation—electric wheelchairs. Unlike e-bikes, which are facing tighter regulations in urban areas, electric wheelchairs allow riders to navigate the streets with minimal effort.

However, many are worried that the rise of wheelchairs as an alternative mode of transport among young people will undermine public advocacy and support for people with disabilities, for many of whom wheelchairs are a necessity, not a lifestyle choice. With the continuous expansion of the trend, people with disabilities may not easily be recognized and assisted. Their access to public places may also be blocked, as they now have to share wheelchair ramps and lifts with their able-bodied counterparts.

Therefore, regulations on the use of wheelchairs should be introduced to make sure that those who are in real need of them receive their due respect and attention.

(Rednet.cn, July 10)