Shanghai, Aug 7 (IANS) Electric tricycles and mopeds, provided by the government for handicapped people here in the Chinese business hub, have led to the death of at least 17 people and injured over 60 this year, police said.

Part of the city's illegally operating transport business, police have confiscated more than 20,000 such vehicles this year, the Shanghai Daily reported Tuesday.

In about 60 percent of the cases, the tricycles - with a top speed of more than 50 km per hour - bore equal or greater responsibility than the victims for the crash.

Such electric vehicles operate around transport hubs, business areas and tourism sites.

Police said some tricycles were remodelled to be more powerful, with covers and seats added, but were poor at stability and are unable to brake in time in emergencies.

They usually operate around the Shanghai Metro stops to take riders for short trips to nearby residential areas or offices, where public transport such as buses is lacking.

Police this year detected more than 1,300 cases in which the drivers of the tricycles were not handicapped.