Electric bikes have become a reliable and eco-friendly mode of transportation for many in Japan, especially for those in need of an extra push while hauling small children or a load of groceries up a steep slope.

But when police began looking into a case of electric bicycles that broke the legal speed limit, the move caused concern both for sellers and owners of electric bicycles — which have been prevalent in recent years — regarding the laws and regulations surrounding the high-tech bikes.

Here is what happened and the regulations pertaining to electric bikes in Japan: