The Rise of Illegal Electric Bicycles in Kabukicho

Catchers living around Kabukicho ride these electric bicycles to appear on the streets where their workplaces are located. It’s essentially their commuting vehicle.

Why did these electric bicycles become popular? Catchers in Kabukicho share their thoughts,

“It’s because they look cool. The people who catch the bikes have an old-fashioned yankee temperament, and they like vehicles that look like motorcycles. This bicycle has big and thick tires. It can also be customized. They are better looking than ordinary electric bicycles. They want to ride a bike that is different from the norm, and it has become a fad”

The advantage of these bicycles is that they are easy to use and provide powerful assistance for distances that would be too far to cover on foot.

It is no wonder that catchers, who are active until late at night, utilize them to come to the street without worrying about the last train or cab. The ease with which they can be illegally modified to distinguish themselves from others is probably another reason why Catch has taken notice of them.

However, it is also true that these types of runaway behavior and illegal riding on bicycles are also a problem. We spoke with people in Kabukicho about these illegal riding practices:

“I often see people riding with two other people. They are moving around in the alleys, just like a quick ride. They are moving through the downtown area at a very high speed, and there are some dangerous situations where they collide with pedestrians. Driving without helmets on those bikes is scary. It feels like a major accident could happen at any time.”

It is not surprising that accidents can occur due to illegal driving. It is even more dangerous to drive in narrow places like the back alleys of Kabukicho.

Also, if the bike has been modified, even if the brakes are powerful, it is highly dangerous because it runs at the same speed as a moped. One can only hope that no serious accidents will occur.