Under the revised Road Traffic Law, which will come into effect on and after July 1, these bicycles will be treated as “specified small motorized bicycles”: no license will be required for those aged 16 or older, the maximum speed will be 20 km/h, helmets will be mandatory, and right turns will be made in two stages, among other things. In addition, only vehicles equipped with maximum speed indicator lights will be allowed to ride on roadside strips and sidewalks, especially on sidewalks where the speed limit will be reduced to 6 km/h.
LUUP’s electric kickboards are treated as “small special motor vehicles” under the current law, which requires a license (such as a regular driver’s license, not a moped license). The speed limit is 15 km/h, helmets are optional, and right turns must be small.
Luup, which offers an electric kickboard and electric-assist bicycle sharing service called “Luup,” explained the application of the new rules in advance of the July 1 enforcement of the revised Road Traffic Law.
Ride on sidewalks “only when avoiding danger.
This unfamiliar “maximum speed indicator light” is, in a nutshell, a status indicator that shows whether the vehicle is traveling at 20 km/h or 6 km/h.
LUUP’s new electric kickboard, to be introduced after July 1, has green lights at both ends of the handle (where the indicator lights are on existing vehicles) and a button on the handle to switch speed modes. The lights will be on in 20 km/h mode and blinking in 6 km/h mode.
Therefore, for example, if a driver is driving on a sidewalk with the lights on, anyone can see that he or she is in violation. Even though the 6km/h mode allows driving on sidewalks, the company positions this as a means of avoiding danger, such as when there are parked cars on the road, and takes the position that “the basic idea is to drive on the roadway.
Furthermore, in order to comply with the new traffic rules, the company has made it mandatory for LUUP electric kickboards users to “answer all or a series of questions correctly on the traffic rule test” and “provide proof of age” to use the kickboards after July 1.
However, even though it is a test, it is not intended to sift users, but rather to use plain language and illustrations rather than legal terms, and the app also includes learning content to help users learn new traffic rules. The test has already been available since May 16.
The age verification documents are my number card, driver’s license, residence card, and passport (including overseas passport), which are read and uploaded by the application. However, this is only a restriction before using electric kickboards, and if you only use electric bicycles, you do not need to submit any documents.
Luup President and CEO Daiki Okai, who explained the new traffic rules and regulations, particularly emphasized the aspect of legal reform for “electric micromobility groups” this time. Currently, LUUP’s fleet consists only of electrically power assisted bicycles and kickboards, but the company’s mission is to “create an infrastructure that will make the whole town into a station front” through the increased density of rental/return ports and the micromobility fleet that will appear in the future.
Therefore, providing vehicles and services that are firmly compliant with the revised Road Traffic Law from the state of being in special measures in previous demonstration experiments is consistent with the future that the company is aiming for.
The company also noted that future challenges include making non-LUUP users aware of the new traffic rules and the lack of awareness of the rules when vehicles for sale, rather than sharing services, begin to circulate in the market.
For example, under the revised Road Traffic Law, existing electric kickboards will not be allowed on sidewalks until they are equipped with maximum speed indicator lights, but there is concern that users may drive on sidewalks with non-compliant existing vehicles due to ignorance or other reasons. Regarding the refurbishment of existing vehicles, Mr. Okai stated that he would like to implement it as soon as possible, rather than waiting for the grace period until December 2024.
The company plans to hold electric kickboard safety seminars on July 1 (Tokyo and Osaka) and July 2 (Kobe). Those who would like to use electric kickboards but do not know how to ride or understand the traffic rules should consider attending.
© Source travel watch
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