- 14 Mar 2002
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Motorcycles disguised as a "new type" of power-assisted bicycle are being sold to buyers who may not realise what they are, and police say this is creating safety risks on the streets. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is warning people to check performance and specifications carefully before making a purchase. Some of these vehicles are not ordinary battery-assisted bicycles but fully electric motorcycles, sometimes referred to as mopeds.
Pedal-equipped electric motorcycles (photo credit: illegally as power-assisted bicycles (photo credit: Otahara Natsuno).
A licence is not required for riding a power-assisted bicycle. That is not the case for these machines. Because they are effectively electric motorcycles, a licence is needed. Police also said some of the vehicles do not meet basic safety requirements. They were found without rear-view mirrors and licence plates, both of which are required for use on public roads in Japan.
Pedal-equipped electric motorcycles (photo credit: illegally as power-assisted bicycles (photo credit: Otahara Natsuno).
A licence is not required for riding a power-assisted bicycle. That is not the case for these machines. Because they are effectively electric motorcycles, a licence is needed. Police also said some of the vehicles do not meet basic safety requirements. They were found without rear-view mirrors and licence plates, both of which are required for use on public roads in Japan.