The Essentials

Airport Bans Motorized Suitcases

Most travelers know about the TSA liquid rule, or about the rule against packing lithium ion batteries in your checked baggage.

 

But now, at least one airport has banned the use of motorized, rideable suitcases.

 

In Japan, it’s no longer legal to ride your suitcase through the airport. It’s because of a rise in the number of luggage crashes.

 

These popular, battery-powered moving suitcases can reach a speed of six miles per hour, but a number of travelers have been kneecapped when passengers riding these suitcases have hit them.

 

Under Japanese law, the suitcases are considered motorized bicycles, which require passengers to have a license and wear a helmet.

 

And other airports around the world are expected to follow suit.

 

Already, some airlines are prohibiting these motorized bags from being taken on flights if their lithium batteries cannot be removed.