The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department held a public event on May 31, 2026, to teach residents the specific traffic rules for various electric mobility devices [1].

As the variety of electric vehicles increases, the legal requirements for operating them have become more complex. This training aims to reduce accidents by ensuring users understand which rules apply to their specific device, such as the difference between electric-assist bicycles and pedal-equipped electric motorcycles, also known as mopeds [1, 2].

The event took place at a park in Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward, where organizers constructed a mock intersection [1, 2]. Approximately 100 participants, including elderly residents and families with children, attended the session to practice safe navigation [1].

Yohei Gonta, a mobility strategy official with the Metropolitan Police Department, said that many types of electric mobility have recently appeared, and the rules for each can be complex and difficult to understand. He said he wanted participants to acquire the correct rules through this hands-on experience [1].

Police data highlights the urgency of these educational efforts. The department reported 82 personal injury accidents involving electric mobility devices through April 2026 [1].

Participants practiced cautious maneuvers at the simulated crossing. One attendee said they would be careful to check for pedestrians even after a signal turns green, noting that people might still be crossing the street [1].

Officers and Gonta served as instructors during the event, guiding users through the specific legal obligations of different vehicle classes [1, 2].

“The rules for each can be complex and difficult to understand.”

The rise of 'gray-zone' vehicles—devices that blur the line between bicycles and motorized vehicles—has created a regulatory gap in urban Japan. By utilizing mock intersections and public demonstrations, Tokyo police are attempting to mitigate a rising trend in e-mobility accidents through behavioral training rather than relying solely on signage or legislation.