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Japan cracks down on use of rideable electric suitcases amid tourist boom

theguardian.com

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Re: Japan cracks down on use of rideable electric suitcases amid tourist boom

#31

Post by tantalor »

Sparkyte wrote: post #22
gentile wrote: post #8

A license isn't needed for an electric bicycle. The law states that it is classified as an electric bicycle if it is only pedal assist and only up to 24kph (15mph). The issue arises when either there are no pedals, or it can be operated without using pedals, like these suitcases. Electric only operation moves the classification to a scooter, thus license needed. https://archive.ph/Fw5lX https://www.keishicho.metro.to…

Simple, attach non-functional pedals.

No need, you can always just kick your feet on the ground like a balance bike.

Then the motor is only assisting your foot power, which makes it an ebike.

Re: Japan cracks down on use of rideable electric suitcases amid tourist boom

#32

Post by Avicebron »

qwerty456127 wrote: post #20
fermentation wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The areas where these would be used are super crowded, it is likely that the riders are constantly bumping into people.

I see. Why not just limit the speed to that of a fast walking / slow running human and/or fine those who would ride carelessly enough to bump so people would have to remember deciding to ride means taking responsibility? Maybe also ban using smartphone while riding.

I think a formal way to assert that someone will follow those rules/be mindful is a license..

Re: Japan cracks down on use of rideable electric suitcases amid tourist boom

#33

Post by tantalor »

throw0101d wrote: post #24

FortNine, a motorcycle channel (and retailer), did an amusing video on this a little while ago: * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQAe7EtVi-4

That's a different thing. That's a scooter that fits into a suitcase form factor. It's not really a suitcase.

This article is talking about motorized, ridable luggage.

Examples: https://airwheelfactory.com/collections/riding-suitcase-for-...

Re: Japan cracks down on use of rideable electric suitcases amid tourist boom

#34

Post by blackeyeblitzar »

I can’t help but think Japan’s recent anti tourist mania is going to hurt them significantly. The country already has a reputation for xenophobia and discrimination, and the visibility of social media and news media attacks against tourists over trivial things like this is just going to keep young people from going there. And their economy needs them.

Re: Japan cracks down on use of rideable electric suitcases amid tourist boom

#35

Post by cryptica »

gentile wrote: post #8

A license isn't needed for an electric bicycle. The law states that it is classified as an electric bicycle if it is only pedal assist and only up to 24kph (15mph). The issue arises when either there are no pedals, or it can be operated without using pedals, like these suitcases. Electric only operation moves the classification to a scooter, thus license needed. https://archive.ph/Fw5lX https://www.keishicho.metro.to…

Such a bad regulations. Rideable luggage actually seems reasonably innovative. It sucks how the government often gets in the way of meaningful improvements. Feels like we are really headed for dark ages.

Re: Japan cracks down on use of rideable electric suitcases amid tourist boom

#36

Post by behringer »

cryptica wrote: post #35
gentile wrote: post #8

A license isn't needed for an electric bicycle. The law states that it is classified as an electric bicycle if it is only pedal assist and only up to 24kph (15mph). The issue arises when either there are no pedals, or it can be operated without using pedals, like these suitcases. Electric only operation moves the classification to a scooter, thus license needed. https://archive.ph/Fw5lX https://www.keishicho.metro.to…

Such a bad regulations. Rideable luggage actually seems reasonably innovative. It sucks how the government often gets in the way of meaningful improvements. Feels like we are really headed for dark ages.

Sure, except for the people they inevitably run into and/or injure. Sometimes it is better to restrict these things especially in public places.

Re: Japan cracks down on use of rideable electric suitcases amid tourist boom

#37

Post by piafraus »

petsfed wrote: post #7
bootloop wrote: post #3

They need a new vehicle category? Why does an electric bicycle need a driver license in the first place?

Part of the problem here is that it seems like you can't actually pedal this thing, which is to me (and a lot of lawmakers in the US) sort of foundational to the concept "bicycle". The other problem here is that with ever-increasing electric motor technology, old standards like engine displacement, or even power supply (gas vs electric) are not great indicators of the maximum speed of these things. As it stands, whil…

> you can't actually pedal this thing... sort of foundational to the concept "bicycle".

Interesting. Just wondering - what does "pedal" mean to you. Explicitly spinning and explicitly with feets?

Are any of those not considered bicycles to you?

-Elliptical bicycle -Treadmill bicycle -Handcycle

Re: Japan cracks down on use of rideable electric suitcases amid tourist boom

#38

Post by bilsbie »

behringer wrote: post #36
cryptica wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Such a bad regulations. Rideable luggage actually seems reasonably innovative. It sucks how the government often gets in the way of meaningful improvements. Feels like we are really headed for dark ages.

Sure, except for the people they inevitably run into and/or injure. Sometimes it is better to restrict these things especially in public places.

How does it work for bicycles?

Re: Japan cracks down on use of rideable electric suitcases amid tourist boom

#39

Post by nomel »

irjustin wrote: post #28
qwerty456127 wrote: post #15

Why? Is there supposed to be any problem in riding suitcases besides the very fact this formally breaks a law? Shouldn't they better just update the law to add an exception?

> Shouldn't they better just update the law to add an exception? No, the point is in crowded places like airports you don't want people zipping around on electric scooters, suitcases or otherwise, running into people - esp elderly.

So, a speed limit rather than a complete ban?

Re: Japan cracks down on use of rideable electric suitcases amid tourist boom

#40

Post by margalabargala »

Johnny555 wrote: post #29
margalabargala wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unsure where you are, but in most of the US ebikes that can go over 28mph are not ebikes. They are electric motorcycles, and must be registered as such. You're not mad at ebikes, you're mad at people with unregistered vehicles, and potentially drivers driving motorcycles without motorcycle licenses.

>You're not mad at ebikes, you're mad at people with unregistered vehicles, and potentially drivers driving motorcycles without motorcycle licenses. Yeah, but the problem is that they all look the same, many legal bikes even come with easily removed speed limiters. I'm ok with throwing the baby out with the bathwater -- regulate them all if it's impossible to tell which one is which until they get into an accident.

IMO this can be solved with education and enforcement in equal measure.

This is not the first example of there being an easily-abused commons of some sort, where we all benefit from using something within reason but a few bad actors can make things radically worse for everyone.

Radio comes to mind. It's very easy for anyone to prevent their neighbors from using their wifi, by trying to boost their own signal strength beyond legal limits.

But people don't, despite the equally easily removed power limiters. Because the FCC will come down hard on them.

Let's add more enforcement. Speed cameras everywhere, for cars and bicycles.

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