In Japan, a bicycle with no functional pedals is called: a broken bicycle. A bike with a motor which propels itself is called: a motor bike. Japan has had bic

In Japan, a bicycle with no functional pedals is called: a broken bicycle. A bike with a motor which propels itself is called: a motor bike. Japan has had bicycles with electric assist motors for 10+ years. They are popular with moms who need to carry kids but where a car is too cumbersome. Japan has also had motor bikes for a century. They are popular with lower class workers who want to skip traffic jams and commute cheaper. Japan is not confused by the shape of a motor bike. Making it look like luggage does not make it luggage (with a motor) but rather a luggage shaped motor bike. Japan appears to handle this Nominative determinism issue quite well.