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).
“Only a portion of our users,” says LUUP CEO
However, a number of e-scooter users ignore these laws and, indeed, the basic rules of common sense. Many foreign travelers, unfamiliar with the hook turn rule, use the right-turn lane, angering drivers behind the slow-moving motorized kickboards. Even more exceed the 6kph limit while riding on the sidewalk.
Others engage in some truly awful and gobsmacking behavior. Social media users say they’ve spotted multiple people downing alcoholic drinks while riding an e-scooter. Last week, various news outlets reported on one kickboard user who entered Tokyo’s Shutoko highway system on the device.
That wasn’t an isolated case, either. It’s the seventh time it’s happened this year.
In response to the online backlash, LUUP CEO Okai Daiki addressed the issues during an interview with Jiji News. Okai responded rather dismissively that “only a portion of our users are repeatedly committing violations.”
Some demand e-scooters require licenses
The remarks sparked outrage among some social media users. Some say they see people illegally using e-scooters on a daily basis. Others are calling for a change to Japan’s laws to require e-scooter users to hold a driver’s license – a move that would significantly cut into LUUP’s revenue.
Taxi drivers interviewed by LiveDoor News say they see illegal e-scooter use regularly.
“I can’t agree with CEO Okai,” one 50yo male driver said. “You can get ride them so easily, so in reality, lots of people treat them as toys, not as vehicles.”
“I see people using them illegally daily,” said another 40yo taxi driver. “These days, I see police stopping them frequently, so I assume they’re cracking down on e-scooter use. I hope they levy the appropriate fines.”
Even licensed travelers, however, are causing problems in Japan. Tourists can currently drive cars or use services like the “Mario Kart” city tours if they have an international driver’s license. Even with that restriction, there have been multiple accidents involving street go-karts as tourists flood into Japan in record numbers.
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Sources
〈LUUP社長「違反者は一部」発言が炎上〉「事故りそうになったことは数えきれない」タクシー運転手も激怒「飲酒運転をほぼ毎日見る」Livedoor News
電動キックボードが首都高速道路に進入 注意を. NHK News Web
