A “moped” looks like a type of bicycle, but you need a license! What is the legal reason for this? Automotive Information/News WEB CARTOP

To summarize this article

◾️A two-wheeled vehicle that has pedals but can be driven only by an electric motor is called a moped.

◾️Mopeds are legally treated as motorized bicycles, so a driver’s license and equipment are required.

◾️Recently, the crackdown on mopeds has been strengthened.

What is the difference between a moped and an electric assist bicycle?

“Mopeds” became a hot topic during the crackdown that took place in Shibuya on April 10, 2024. What kind of vehicle is this “moped”? This time, we will explain the overview of mopeds and their legal handling. In order to avoid being stopped for traffic violations, it is important to acquire the correct knowledge.

What is a moped?

To begin with, a “moped” is a vehicle that is also called an “electric bicycle” or “full electric bicycle.” It is called a “motorized bicycle with pedals” by the police and in the news and reports.

According to materials from the Metropolitan Police Department, a motorized bicycle with pedals is:

“Vehicles (light vehicles, small mobile vehicles, (excluding vehicles for people with physical disabilities, remote-controlled small vehicles, walking aid vehicles, etc.) that can also be driven by human power using the pedals provided on the vehicle.

… apparently … In other words, a moped is a motorized bicycle (moped) that is equipped with pedals and can also be driven by pedaling.

In addition, mopeds are treated as motorized bicycles (mopeds), so they require a driver’s license, a license plate, and compulsory automobile liability insurance.

It became a hot topic that the Metropolitan Police Department cracked down on April 10, 2024.

On April 10, 2024, the Metropolitan Police Department conducted a crackdown on mopeds in Shibuya. Many of you may have seen or heard that in the news, five people were arrested for driving without a license or not wearing a helmet in a crackdown that lasted only about 1.5 hours.

Crackdowns on mopeds have been carried out in the past, with some violators saying things like “I thought it was a bicycle” and “I didn’t know I needed a license.” For this reason, many people do not know that mopeds are classified as mopeds.

How is it different from an electric assist bicycle?

A moped is a motorized bicycle (moped), but because it has pedals attached to it, it looks like a bicycle, and some people may mistake it for a bicycle. What you need to be especially careful about is the difference between electric assist bicycles and mopeds. So, how is an electrically assisted bicycle defined?

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, “electrically assisted bicycles”“This is a bicycle in which an electric motor assists the pedaling force while riding, and the Road Traffic Law Enforcement Regulations specify detailed standards such as the assist ratio as a bicycle with a drive assist device.This standard If the bicycle does not meet these requirements, it cannot be ridden on the road.It has been described as.

In addition, the following standards have been established for electrically assisted bicycles. Therefore, vehicles that do not meet the standards are not recognized as electrically assisted bicycles.

[Standards for bicycles with drive assist devices (standards for electrically assisted bicycles)]

Assist range
Not assisted at speeds over 24km/h

・When speed is less than 10km/h: 1 to 2 maximum
・When speed is 10 km/h or more and less than 24 km/h: Assist ratio decreases as speed increases
・For other details, please refer to Article 1-3 of the Road Traffic Act Enforcement Regulations.