E-Scooters Are Everywhere in Europe

There’s a trial of e-scooters in Tokyo. They have strict rules: max speed is governed to 15km/h, they can go anywhere bicycles can go, not on sidewalks, and can only be parked at private businesses that host parking spots. You also need a drivers license and pass a short test about the rules to make an account on the app.

This seems to work pretty well and they aren’t strewn all over the place. There’s 2 things about Tokyo that make it work, I think:

1. Most streets are already mixed use and don’t have sidewalks. Pedestrians, cyclists and cars already share the streets well. Larger streets with sidewalks usually have a bike lane as well. Adding scooters is not so disruptive.

2. Car and usually bike parking is paid, and only in designated areas. So it’s not a big inconvenience to have scooter parking in designated areas. Actually they are much more convenient as there are far more of them.

I posted this because I ride an eScooter work every day and love it. The article focused on the rental market and teething problems. I'd be interested to hear from anybody else who has tried an eScooter and considered one for their daily commute.

Problem is that left-green governments refuse to implement the law. In most EU-countries there are age-related speed limits. So the proper way for the rental system to operate is to limit the speed to 12-15 km/h -- or check the age and eligibility of the driver everytime.

And I hate it.