4 ms·

> I recently discovered scooters (lime, bird, etc), and have to say that they now compete with walking for me. FYI, these are illegal to use in Japan without

> I recently discovered scooters (lime, bird, etc), and have to say that they now compete with walking for me. FYI, these are illegal to use in Japan without a license. They require the same license that low CC motor bikes/mopeds require in Japan. They also require license plates.

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
xii23 4y ago
If Japan's law enforcement for this is anything like Germany's, this only applies if you're actually breaking traffic laws --- as in, the police will never stop you normally unless you cross a red or something, and only then they will fine you (for crossing a red + using a scooter without a license).
- mlindner 4y ago
  In my (relatively light) understanding, Japan in general doesn't really do selective enforcement. If they see you riding a scooter without a license plate they'll pull you over right away.
  - thenthenthen 4y ago
    You even need a registration for your bike in Japan. As a foreigner you would be randomly pulled over to be checked. As for scooters, this is such a different way/level of experience than walking. They cant be compared. Personally I when using a scooter i’m more looking out for potholes than seeing anything of the city. Walking is so much slower and allows you to make meaningful connections also with the inhabitants of a place (even pickpockets ;)
  - xii23 4y ago
    Right, but these public e-scooters (like Bird, Lime, etc) all have license plates by default --- and that's why they generally won't pull you over unless you are breaking traffic rules. By all means, if it doesn't have a license plate at all I think you'd get pulled over in Germany also.
- tinus_hn 4y ago
  Japan’s law enforcement is nothing like Germany’s. As long as you’re on their good side they’re great but they have something like a 99% conviction rate and the punishments are harsh.

4 ms·

> I recently discovered scooters (lime, bird, etc), and have to say that they now compete with walking for me. FYI, these are illegal to use in Japan without

by mlindner 4y ago

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
xii23 4y ago
If Japan's law enforcement for this is anything like Germany's, this only applies if you're actually breaking traffic laws --- as in, the police will never stop you normally unless you cross a red or something, and only then they will fine you (for crossing a red + using a scooter without a license).
- mlindner 4y ago
  In my (relatively light) understanding, Japan in general doesn't really do selective enforcement. If they see you riding a scooter without a license plate they'll pull you over right away.
  - thenthenthen 4y ago
    You even need a registration for your bike in Japan. As a foreigner you would be randomly pulled over to be checked. As for scooters, this is such a different way/level of experience than walking. They cant be compared. Personally I when using a scooter i’m more looking out for potholes than seeing anything of the city. Walking is so much slower and allows you to make meaningful connections also with the inhabitants of a place (even pickpockets ;)
  - xii23 4y ago
    Right, but these public e-scooters (like Bird, Lime, etc) all have license plates by default --- and that's why they generally won't pull you over unless you are breaking traffic rules. By all means, if it doesn't have a license plate at all I think you'd get pulled over in Germany also.
- tinus_hn 4y ago
  Japan’s law enforcement is nothing like Germany’s. As long as you’re on their good side they’re great but they have something like a 99% conviction rate and the punishments are harsh.