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Why E-Scooters Are Driving Japan Insane
Users are drinking booze while scootering and even taking the devices on city highways.
As e-scooters take over city streets in Japan, many are voicing their frustration online over users who don’t seem to understand — or care about — the country’s traffic laws. Now, comments from a prominent e-scooter company’s CEO are fanning the flames of resentment towards e-scooter users even harder.
E-scooters (電動キックボード; dendou kikkuboudo) have grown in popularity since a revision to Japan’s motor vehicle laws last year allowed using them on city streets without a driver’s license. The largest e-scooter rental company here is LUUP. Both residents and travelers can use the company’s multi-lingual app to rent an e-scooter by the minute.
Scooter riders are supposed to follow Japan’s traffic laws. That includes doing a so-called “hook turn” just like bicycles — i.e., going straight and then crossing with pedestrians to turn right instead of using the right turn lane used by cars. It also means observing laws such as not drinking and scootering. E-scooter users must also stay off sidewalks and stick to the road if traveling over 6kph (3.7mph).
