Police events tend to have a rather stiff image. However, the "Safety Ride Festival" hosted by the Kanagawa Prefectural Police was an event aimed at raising awareness of motorcycle safety, but what was impressive was the friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
Organizers: Kanagawa Prefectural Police (Traffic General Affairs Division, Kamakura Police Station)
Cooperation: Japan Motorcycle Promotion and Safety Association,
Kanagawa Prefecture Motorcycle Promotion and Safety Association,
Umeda Motors Co., Ltd.,
Naps Co., Ltd.
The tourists who happened to be there were also very interested in the sights.
On Sunday, June 1st, the Kanagawa Prefectural Police held the "Safety★Ride Fest 2025" at a special venue in the Shichirigahama Beach parking lot in Kamakura City. Under summer-like weather, the tourist destination of Shichirigahama was bustling with holidaymakers and tourists from overseas. The event kicked off at 11am, starting with the appointment of Madoka Umemoto, a former member of SKE48 and ambassador for JAPAN RIDERS, as the Traffic Safety Ambassador for Motorcycle Traffic Accident Prevention Month.
Afterwards, the White Angels, a female police motorcycle unit, demonstrated their technical skills. Four police motorcycles slalomed in perfect unison, and even passed each other in slaloms in pairs, performing highly challenging feats. Everyone in the audience gasped in amazement. They also occasionally blared their sirens as they drove, no doubt startling the cars and motorbikes passing by on the nearby coastal road. Even so
, these female police officers, who are by no means large, handled their fully equipped large police motorcycles as if they were their own limbs, and drove in perfect unison. Their riding skills, cultivated through rigorous training, were truly impressive.
During the explanation about speed and braking distance, a police officer on a motorcycle actually braked to clearly demonstrate the difference in how far it takes to stop at 40km/h and 50km/h. This made me realize once again that even a difference of just 10km/h can make a big difference in braking distance.
The u-media Umeda Motors booth was set up at the venue, displaying a variety of domestic and international motorcycles. Not only riders visiting the event, but also people who were there for the holidays, looked with interest at the rows of motorcycles lined up. Inside the tent, there was also an opportunity to try lifting a large Harley, and Madoka Umemoto tried it.
At the end of the event, nine riders selected through advance public entries took part in a single-plank bridge challenge. A narrow riding space was set up using small pylons, and participants had to ride across it as slowly as possible. If their feet touched the ground or their tires touched the pylons, they would be disqualified. The four female and six male riders all rode better than expected, drawing thunderous applause from the audience. The top three riders were awarded luxurious prizes.
The event was short, from 11am to 2pm, so many visitors went on bike rides after it was over. It wasn't a large-scale event, but that's why it felt so welcoming and easy for anyone to drop in.
