Japan is littered with two-wheelers of all sorts. And ever since the advent of the collapsible bicycle, the streets have never been the same again; with grown adults and children alike whizzing along on comically sized vehicles.

The streets are due for yet another makeover with the April launch of Toymaker Takara's 'tu', a collapsible bicycle that is also a battery-powered moped.

With a flick of a switch, the electric motor jumps into

action and can carry the rider as far as 30km without any pedaling for up to 4 hours, and has a top speed of 24 kph. The battery is recharged by simply plugging into a standard household electric socket.

The bicycle/moped is sold in 300 stores across Japan, including car dealers, toy stores and shops operated by Choro-Q Motors Co, a subsidiary of Takara Co.

Price: 190,000 yen.

Takara Co.: 4-19-16 Aoto, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo Tel.: 03-5680-2041.