Japanese airports have announced a ban of motorised rideable suitcases following a string of crashes.
The suitcases can be bought in the UK and cost as much as £1,095 from retailers such as Selfridges.
Japan is also currently mulling a nationwide crackdown on battery-powered luggage after a Chinese woman became the first person to be referred to prosecutors in June for riding without a license.
Motorised rideable suitcases have been growing in popularity across Asia. Reaching a top speed of 6mph, they offer passengers the ease of travel to whizz around airport terminals or cities rather than having to pull a heavy suitcase around.
Celebrities such as K-pop stars from the band Blackpink have also posted videos on social media of their members riding the suitcases – boosting the luggages popularity further.
A woman riding a motorised rideable suitcase. Motorised rideable suitcases have been growing in popularity across Asia . Reaching a top speed of 6mph, they offer passengers the ease of travel to whizz around airport terminals
Tokyo’s Haneda airport. In February the airport moved to ban the bags to avoid collisions with travelers (stock image)
Celebrities such as K-pop stars from the band Blackpink (pictured) have also posted videos on social media of their members riding the suitcases
However, the rising prevalence of the suitcases has also caused anger among fellow flyers whose complaints have led to a clampdown in some Japanese airports.
Both of Tokyo’s airports have took a stand against the suitcases. The Daily Telegraph reports that in February Tokyo’s Haneda airport moved to ban the bags to avoid collisions with travelers.
Meanwhile Narita airport, also in Tokyo, advised passengers to be ‘careful of your surroundings’ after complaints of passengers whizzing past other travellers and causing disruption.
And two other airports in Japan – Chubu Centrair International Airport in Aichi Prefecture and Kansai International Airport in Osaka – have also asked that people do not ride them inside their airports.
Under Japanese law the suitcases are categorised as ‘motorised bicycles’ which mean they must be ridden with a license and while wearing a helmet – among other requirements.
A boom in tourism, which has seen the number of tourists visiting Japan skyrocket to 3million a month this year, has led to more incidents of luggage riding tourists being stopped for breaking the law.
Last month, a Chinese woman became the first person to be referred to prosecutors after she was stopped for riding her suitcase on the pavement in Osaka without a license.
In July, an Indonesian boy was warned it was illegal to ride his suitcase when he was caught doing so in Osaka’s bustling Dotonbori district.
The popularity of the suitcases is yet to reach the UK. However, motorised rideable suitcases are available to buy in the UK. One such suitcase manufactured by a company called Tech Bar (pictured) can be bought from Selfridges for £1,095.95
Speaking to Kyodo News, Takeru Shibayama – a senior scientist at the Vienna University of Technology’s Institute for Transportation – claimed a revision of Japanese law will need to be discussed to deal with the suitcases.
He said: ‘Unexpected new forms of transport will continue to emerge.’
Mr Shibayama added that the country will need to discuss ‘whether a new classification [for the suitcases] should be established.’
The popularity of the suitcases is yet to reach the UK. However, motorised rideable suitcases are available to buy in the UK.
One such suitcase manufactured by a company called Tech Bar can be bought from Selfridges for £1,095.95.
British Airways, prohibits smart luggage from being taken on flights if the lithium battery cannot be removed.
However, the website states: This does not include self-propelled ride-on baggage where the battery is used to provide electromotive power that provides propulsion to the suitcase.’
MailOnline have contacted Britain’s three busiest airports – Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester for comment on their policies towards motorised suitcases.
