Japan to allow unlicensed electric scooter riding from July

Sounds to me like someone in the LDP has stakes in the electric scooter business.

Is "engine noise" mandated? Humans use their hearing to determine danger.

Scooters definitely weigh more than bicycles, except those heavy "commuter" bikes. My road bike from the mid-1980s was 17 lbs (~7.7 kg).

On average, popular commuter electric scooters for adults will weigh 28.6 lbs / 13 kg. Electric scooter weight can vary from 15 lbs / 7 kg all the way up to 155 lbs / 70 kg.

Unlicensed scooters allowed in Japan? That means give riders full license to speed and kill or, injure pedestrians. 

Their top speed is up there with bicycles, and probably weigh less, so I would rather be hit by someone on a scooter than a cyclist at full speed.

Ironic that safety-Japan should be giving the green-light to these dangerous machines, just as Paris is about to conduct a referendum on whether they should be banned or not, following 22 deaths on their streets caused by these inconsiderate pests.

In our densely-populated cities, the sidewalks should strictly be limited only to pedestrians and mobility-models for the incapacitated - the utmost consideration and care should be taken by everyone to prevent to devastating deaths and injuries which are far too commonplace.

It makes me wonder how many people will lose their lives on the streets of Tokyo before the authorities put a ban in place, which sadly will be too late for many - so short-sighted. The sanctity of life is paramount.

One of my eldest nieces has her eye on a electric scooter.for her birthday,

Lobbying the family

Insisted I don't go horror Aunt on her, well not quite but words to that effect.

Gave me a lecture on climate change targets.

I said, why don't we take trip to your favorite burger bar on my motorcycle

Aunt, "Daddy said your legs are wonky", again words to cut comment short.

I fell off a Honda 750 in London, life changing, later compared to thunderbirds supermarionation.

I just want her to be safe.

Bad call, most cities have outlawed these already surprised Japan is doing the reverse . Additionally these devices make a mama-cheri look cool. Noo wins here :(

The city that pioneered Europe’s car-free future

Pontevedra banned cars decades before most cities started to think about reclaiming streets for pedestrians.

It banned cars from most of the city in 1999.

https://www.politico.eu/article/pontevedra-city-pioneer-europe-car-free-future/

*

In Amsterdam with its many narrow canal roads most citizens use bicycles.

*

12 best ways to get cars out of cities – ranked by new research

https://theconversation.com/12-best-ways-to-get-cars-out-of-cities-ranked-by-new-research-180642

Awa no Gaijin

Today 04:43 pm JST

I think you are confusing things.

Only cyclists permitted on sidewalks are over 65, children under 12 and mothers with approved baby seat with children ( no child in the seat no sidewalk.

This is the national law and applies everywhere.

Your confusion is "bike lanes" in certain cities and areas there are designated bike lanes integrated into the same space as sidewalks, and if you look closely there is a lanes for bikes and a lane for pedestrians.

Problem is neither stays in their lane.

Unless the sidewalk has a designated bike lanes only over 65 under 12 and mothers with small children are permitted on sidewalks and if the sidewalk is crowded they are supposed to disembark and walk their bike.

Our local koban, equipped with a very helpful officer would struggle to catch one of these scooters on his bike.

Also innovative clever students won't take long to modify one of these scooters to break the sound barrier.

A figure of speech, none the less, at night our somewhat narrow bendy roads and pavements dotted with telegraph poles could well have scooters to contend with.

This is indeed good news. They are immense fun, practical and cheap to run. More people should use them for getting about town to alleviate the traffic.

I just hope the Mario go karts return to this area too in time for summer. They were particuarly popular before the Rona.

Cars are the real problem in central inner cities. Reduce the roads used by cars and increase the number of no car roads like in some of the European cities.

Someone on an e-scooter takes up less volume than someone on an e-bike with shopping and a kid.

The outcry here is ridiculous! As some of the rules coming to make people accept.

20km/hr ? Most of the road bikers are doing 50!!! Even mama charies on the road are going with 30km/h!

6km/h on the sidewalks? So crowiling after walking salary-men?

You all are right - just ban them - nobody needs such means of transportation...

Dualtron Storm e-scooters need a license and reg plates. They are also very expensive.

Wallace

Dualtron Storm

The perfect Storm

The Dualtron Storm is not a last-mile electric scooter, it's a leave-your-car-at-home product. From the first moment I stepped on it to more than 1,500 miles later, it still impresses me with its power. Capable of 50-plus miles per hour and able to hit 40mph in its power-saving Eco mode, this scooter does not disappoint. 

The Storm can support riders up to 330 pounds and when I say "support" I mean both the build and the motors. A lot of products claim to support certain weights but performance generally takes a hard hit when they're pushed close to the edge. That is not the case with the Storm and its dual 1,500-watt hub motors.

Holy mother of god, capable of 50 plus miles per hour, I potter along at some 50 kph in my Suzuki Wagon R , theoretically the occupant, upright could wave at me through the window.

I was cycling on 246 in Tokyo, heading for Odawara. A policeman stopped me and told me to ride on the sidewalk!

Police will enforce the new rules strictly

As strictly as they enforce all other driving laws... i.e. running red lights, etc...)?

Heaven help us!

S

itsonlyrocknroll

Those are the common ones here. In some places, you can hire them like electric bicycles. Those also share the pavements/sidewalks.

Ok just to get this right, are we clear what a electric scooter looks like?

Best Electric Scooter for 2023

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/best-electric-scooter/

Please correct me if I am wrong, these electric scooters at speeds of 20kph will be sharing pavements with pedestrians?

Wait a minute, Kochi bicycles share the narrow pavements with pedestrians,

The new rules apply to scooters with a maximum speed of 20 kilometers per hour, and riders must comply with the same traffic rules as bicycles, including not riding on sidewalks. Scooter riders are advised to wear helmets, although it is not compulsory.

Does this follow that E scooters will be added to the mix hurtling along at 20 k. What could possibly go wrong?

Will we see cops on e-scooters like bikes and mopeds?

The thing that annoys me the most is bikes undertaking me when I’m indicating a left turn. I guess we will have more of this to look forward to.

Strongest evidence yet of implicit public policy to even out youth-aged demographic balance or just stymie population growth.

For survival of that traffic mess I maybe should considering to construct a 190 x 60 centimeters massive electric tank vehicle with a 6 or 20 kmph speed switch, something like a miniature Abrams so to say.

It’s better to hear these idiots on scooters coming than to not hear them coming.

Suddenly asking people to get a license for these toys was a hilarious amount of overreaction. The ones that actually can go fast sure… but the average electric scooter is about as fast as the people weaving in and out of traffic on their normal bikes

Having a lot of those scooters speeding by on the side walk in the neighborhood. And, am sure most of these drivers don't have a license anyway. Gone are the days when you could go far a walk without looking over your shoulders, ducking crazy drivers (and cyclists).

going to be much harder trying to turn left when there is ongoing pedestrians walking/ cycling past a don't walk signal, an angry guy behind you tailgating telling you to hurry up, mopeds always trying to squeeze their way to the front, and now these scooters that have people who haven't got a clue what traffic violations are since they didn't need to study for it.

finally rich

Today 12:13 pm JST

The speed limit on my road is 30 on the larger road over it is 40.

I get beeped at because I will not go over 20 because it is near guaranteed that some housewife or obasan will cross the roads without checking or stopping as if they are the only vehicle on the road!

Even at 20 km/h I have had multiple close calls barely avoiding hitting cyclists not bothering with the traffic laws.

I imagine in 6 months we could collect enough fines just from cyclists running red lights to pay Tokyo's annual budget.

Indeed.

These people dont even know what a stop sign is, they think its just a street decoration, and I'm not even joking, there are actual people like this.

The worst of the worst is when you're driving straight and a cyclist comes full speed from a perpendicular road and turns left to show up just in front of you, without checking anything as if its nothing, making a whole line of vehicles to hit the breaks.

I see this every week.

If only people where encouraged more in the schools to get any kind of license (even 50cc scooters) they would get a grasp of what kind of world they actually live in, and get to know basic stuff like you can't ignore stop signs while in your bicycle (especially in residential areas) or turn left without checking incoming traffic first.

You can only be a more careful driver if you understand and acknowledge the fact people around you need to be actually taught about these kind of things.

I like these these little scooters. They should be installed with a maximum speed controller so people can't speed on sidewalks. Maybe if the cops do their jobs once in a while this may work?

SaikoPhysco

Today 11:20 am JST

While other countries enjoy unfettered access to many types of recreational vehicles Japan has continued to require strict licensing and rules. Here is hoping that it works out and that young Japanese (over 16) can enjoy something fun for once.

Could you point out these "other countries enjoy unfettered access"?

Seems a lot of rules in most places.

https://community.niu.com/blog/european-kick-scooter-laws-guide-2022#:~:text=In%20most%20places%20in%20Europe,have%20laws%20specific%20to%20them.

I look forward to seeing the police fining and taking peoples' licenses away when shown dashcam footage from other drivers. I hate snitches but I hate even more arrogant, aggressive, sociopath Tokyo drivers. I witness almost every month some driving that could get someone thrown in jail if done in front of a police car.

I do also but wish bicycles and scooters all have licence plates so we can do the same to them.

I imagine in 6 months we could collect enough fines just from cyclists running red lights to pay Tokyo's annual budget.

If we add in stop signs we could probably pay down the national debt just with cyclists violations in Tokyo and Osaka.

In Kyoto imprisonment with forced labor for not riding your bicycle according to the rules.

https://www.pref.kyoto.jp/fukei/foreign/koki_k_t/jitensha/index.html

While other countries enjoy unfettered access to many types of recreational vehicles Japan has continued to require strict licensing and rules. Here is hoping that it works out and that young Japanese (over 16) can enjoy something fun for once.

When it comes to the roads, the drivers are usually the most selfist even with each other.

I look forward to seeing the police enforce the rules 

I look forward to seeing the police fining and taking peoples' licenses away when shown dashcam footage from other drivers. I hate snitches but I hate even more arrogant, aggressive, sociopath Tokyo drivers. I witness almost every month some driving that could get someone thrown in jail if done in front of a police car.

I even relax as soon as I start seeing plush toys and other crazy decorations on peoples' dashboards, it mean I'm north/south enough somewhere people dont commute to Tokyo, somewhere peaceful outside of the metropolis sociopath driving bubble where 100% of the drivers are respectful and considerate, where its even shameful to be otherwise.

These are the kinds of places (along with smaller capitals) scooters could work just fine.

Many people in Tokyo and other big cities do not own a car and use the public transport system. Very common people ride to the stations on their bicycles. Much better for the environment.

2021, the number of registered motor vehicles in Tokyo, Japan, reached a decade low of approximately 3.09 million vehicles

How many cars with a single person?

Oil is the largest fossil fuel import.

I look forward to seeing the police enforce the rules like they do with bicycles, you know not riding on the sidewalk, not stopping at lights, stop signs, riding while holding an umbrella, riding counter to traffic, while using their smartphone, etc..he said sarcastically!

The police cannot even enforce the correct direction on the designated bike lanes in Tokyo.

We regularly watch cyclists going opposite to traffic right infront of the koban or police cars and they say and do nothing.

In our ward painted blue lines with arrows showing the direction cyclists traffic is supposed to go, just like car one side going one way the other side like the cars going the other way.

And sure enough every day we see cyclists going opposite to the arrows now imagine everyday on the same road cars decided to drive against traffic.

And then not stop at the light as pedestrians start Crossing at the corner not expecting someone to be coming from the wrong direction.

Oh it is going to be fun adding in trained e-scooters riders to the mix.

These scooters would work just fine in smaller capitals like Toyama, Kofu, Okayama, etc. where the sidewalks are wide and comfortable, and 99% of the drivers are peaceful and are not in a rush.

In Tokyo, Osaka etc. please just no.

This is how it works here in Tokyo: if a slower vehicle appears on the left side of the road (bicycles, 50cc scooters), you cant just follow it for a few meters and wait for the best timing to overtake it like in other normal places, as everyone behind will be really pissed, so you have no choice but to either overtake it like a sociopath without securing a safe distance or risk swerving to the right whenever you have a split second of a chance.

Tourists will also be riding these things? Just no.

No, they don't have license plates

In correct.

E-scooters already in use or on the market that satisfy standards other than the installation of green lights can continue to be used until December 2024, but they must bear a special license plate. Such vehicles still cannot be used on sidewalks.

the same traffic rules as bicycles, including not riding on sidewalks.

Really? In Koto-ku every single bicycle is riding on sidewalks ffs. I want to punch their faces, especially during rush hours and rainy days.

I've seen some of the younger farmers on e-scooters and the e-boards but there are no traffic problems.

How is it that you don't need a license to ride these scooters? Don't they have license plates on them, meaning they are street vehicles?

No, they don't have license plates.

It's bad enough that many riding these don't follow traffic laws even with a driver's license, but now Japan will allow those who have no knowledge of traffic laws to get on these?

You don't need a license to ride a bicycle either.

How is it that you don't need a license to ride these scooters? Don't they have license plates on them, meaning they are street vehicles? It's bad enough that many riding these don't follow traffic laws even with a driver's license, but now Japan will allow those who have no knowledge of traffic laws to get on these?

The actual scooters are like a skateboard with a handle.

Yes, these ones only, and these do cause lot's of accidents.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/singapore-e-scooter-ban-intl-hnk/index.html

Last year about 2500 people were killed by car accidents. In 2021, the authorities in Japan reported 152 fatal accidents involving drunk driving.

In 2020, of the 41 reported deaths associated with micromobility vehicles, 26 deaths occurred due to motor vehicle incidents, seven due to loss of user control, three due to fire hazards, one death due to pavement injuries, one death due to a pedestrian accident, and three unspecified accidents.

Increasing numbers of people caught riding e-scooters after drinking alcohol.

Broken bones are one of the most common injuries that occur as a result of scooter accidents. Arms, legs, and wrists are particularly vulnerable to breaks and fractures.

I am extremely aware of motorist, a shame the majority of them weren't as aware of us

Sure we are as are pedestrians.

You are the guys running red lights not stopping at stop signs, pedestrians crosswalk, riding on sidewalks forcing people to jump out of the way.

Funny how on a sidewalk I don't recall ever having to jump out of the way of a car.

You are the people when I am driving I have to slam on the brakes because you cut through the intersection going opposite of traffic on a red light.

You are the people that 99.9% of the time don't stop at the corner on a stop sign.

As I put it I have seen cars run red lights and stop signs but for every car running a red light I see at least 50 cyclists and stop signs 1 car for every 1000 cyclists.

I lost my car mirror once in 30 years.

It wasn't another car, it wasn't a motorcycle, it was a Caucasian man on a fancy bicycle in riding gear and helmet barreling between cars smashed my mirror with his handlebars as he past by, then ran the red light!

I never caught him I've seen him before but I wasn't been able to catch him.

Ah, yes, as a cyclist it's nice to see my arch nemesis the motorist on here whining. The most arrogant and self important of the road users. Every person has the right to use public thoroughfares - Your expensive steel and glass behemoth does not make you a king that lowly serfs like cyclists and pedestrians must bow before.

I am extremely aware of motorist, a shame the majority of them weren't as aware of us "lesser" road users. There will always be problems with interactions between road users, this electric kickboard will likely be another. We can only hope the police get out of the koban and monitor everyone better.

I also wish municipalities did more to make more and better lanes for the cycling and now the e-scooter.

Since 2020, there have been 588 e-scooter accidents in New York City, with a total of 538 people injured in those accidents and at least three pedestrian deaths

How does that compare to cycling accidents? There are millions of people in NY, so I would expect a certain number of accidents, an absolute number gives no point of reference as to whether this is a lot, or not many, based on the population.

Lol! So much paranoia in the replies!

I think it’s great. Of course they’ll have to revertthelaw and therewill tonnesof accidents as peopleattempt to ride them in innapropriate places.

But, so what? People often walk straight into each other anyway?

I’m going to get one of those big ‘waooogah’ air horns for mine!!

not good.

16yo iZombie with Iphone headphones full volume completely cutted from outside world will never care about some traffic rules,will never wear helmet.disaster for both drivers and pedestrians.

completely fail.

Mark

Today 08:55 am JST

Good, let's give it a try and see how it works out. Many nations allow scooters on bike lanes and sidewalks too.

Yes and most are regretting it.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/scooters-banned-1.5468206

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/scooter-bikepath-transportation-1.6540102

But my favorite

Since 2020, there have been 588 e-scooter accidents in New York City, with a total of 538 people injured in those accidents and at least three pedestrian deaths

This in a single year

https://abc7ny.com/amp/7-on-your-side-investigates-e-scooters-electric-scooters-pedestrians-struck/10771051/

Strangerland

Today 08:02 am JST

These things are no more dangerous than bicycles. I think people in this thread are confusing road-worthy electric scooters with these actual scooter type that is allowed. The actual scooters are like a skateboard with a handle. See the drawing on this page for an idea: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/77d5ad49caddd67a63e7606bf19acc6126ce7a29

Nope not confused the same thing the idiot that put a nice big dent in my mother in law's car door was riding then took off Zig zaging through traffic and got away.

This happened on the 246 near setagaya in traffic as is often the case.

Nope no one hurt but ¥ 50,000 in damage that my mother in law who is retired had to pay because of the deductible.

The two-wheeled scooters have been attracting a growing number of users in Japan, especially in metropolitan areas. Accidents and traffic rule violations, such as riding under the influence of alcohol, have been rising in line with their growth in popularity.

Sound great more drunk drivers

Traffic tickets will be issued to or fines imposed on riders who violate traffic laws. Those who repeatedly run red lights or drive in unauthorized areas will be required to sit for lectures.

Really how?

Police in other countries and Japan are already saying they cannot issue tickets to cyclists because people are not required to carry ID, so they can give any name they please, sit for a lecture wow! but nothing stopping them from getting right back on their scooter and ignoring everything because basically the police cannot do a darn thing.

Cyclists are not supposed to be on the sidewalk except certain ages and situations.

Lets have a vote on how many of us see violation of that rule every day in Japan, if on the sidewalk pedestrians have the right of way, how many living in Japan have had to get out of the way of the infamous ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring obasan ojisan riding on the sidewalk.

Where can I buy a cheap one?

Good, let's give it a try and see how it works out. Many nations allow scooters on bike lanes and sidewalks too. Affordable Chinese made scooters are everywhere now and they are extremely useful.

I saw a lot of people riding them when I was overseas a few weeks ago.

Look like fun.

Can't wait to try one.

I have enough trouble dodging bicycles while walking or driving my car that do not follow the road traffic laws, don't stop at lights or stop signs cut through corners, zig Zag through cars , etc.. and before someone says:

"car violate the law also, blah blah blah"

For every car I see run a red light, I see 50 cyclists, for every car I see run a stop sign I see a few hundred cyclists or basically every single cyclists run stop signs often forcing cars to take evasive action not to hit they or pedestrians to jump not to get hit

Scooters on sidewalks? Are they insane? Just the other night twice on the main shopping street my wife and I had to jump out of the way of crazy cyclists on the sidewalk ringing their bell at pedestrians, ring ring ring all the way as people tried getting out of their way.

A photo would have helped clarity.

So much negativity about this on this thread! These electric scooters will pose no more dangers than the mamachari bicycle riders who speed up without any care of the people walking on the sidewalks / footpaths or even drivers driving on the roads. Other bicycle riders are also dangerous when they hold an umbrella in their be hand and try to cycle past people or some even using cellphones while cycling! Bicycles are already dangerous enough and take up more space as well as pose more danger than this electric scooters! Also the Japanese Government has decided this so if some foreigner don’t like it then you know there is a simple solution of returning back to your own country… but wait you don’t want to so just stop whining about Japan!

riders must comply with the same traffic rules as bicycles

So... a free for all, no rules.

Big mistake, more regulations and stricter laws are needed..

These things are no more dangerous than bicycles. I think people in this thread are confusing road-worthy electric scooters with these actual scooter type that is allowed. The actual scooters are like a skateboard with a handle. See the drawing on this page for an idea: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/77d5ad49caddd67a63e7606bf19acc6126ce7a29

I think this decision will ultimately be reversed. Until then, look out!

Unlicensed scooters allowed in Japan? That means give riders full license to speed and kill or, injure pedestrians. And, why not go the whole hog? Allow unlicensed drivers as well. That means emergency departments in hospitals will become overcrowded. Then why not build more hospitals? Not enough doctors and nurses? Then medical schools and universities should unlicense students to produce more doctors and nurses. Then when unlicensed doctors and nurses kill more of the public, unlicense grave diggers to dig more graves to bury the dead. Then when unlicensed grave diggers do not dig deep enough graves, the smell of decaying bodies will fill all cities in Japan.

Country doesn't have the infrastructure for bicycles. It doesn't have the infrastructure for e-scooters.

So are we going to be forced to buying something manufacturerrd here with speed limitations built in? I'll pass.

Just this morning, literally less than an hour ago, on my drive into work, there was a nasty accident involving a 50CC scooter, a taxi, and another vehicle. The guy who was on the scooter was lying flat on his back on the ground, not moving around, glass everywhere, a shoe about 20 meters away, on the road.

Folks, get ready for accidents like this, with these scooters, as once teenagers start using them, as no license is required, folks are going to be literally flying all over the place!

So these are the things that folks stand up on? Well at least they can't hold and watch some Youtube channel on their phone while using it.

Insane. More idiots on the road is NOT what Japan needs.