How to Try Electric Scooter Sharing at a Discount with a LUUP Referral Code

LUUP is an electric scooter sharing service primarily available in urban areas. Using the dedicated app, you reserve an electric scooter parked at a station, ride it to a station near your destination, and return it - easily covering short-distance trips.

New users who enter a referral code during registration receive a coupon for their first ride. If you want to try it as a commuting or shopping transportation option, have the referral code ready before signing up. Search "ハーレクイン" on Amazon

• Step 1: Download the LUUP app and create a new account
• Step 2: Enter the referral code in the "Invitation Code" field on the registration form
• Step 3: Upload an identity document and wait for verification
• Step 4: Once verified, the coupon is automatically credited to your account

A driver's license or My Number card can be used for identity verification. Verification typically completes within minutes to a few hours.

Following the July 2023 revision of Japan's Road Traffic Act, electric scooters meeting certain standards are classified as "specified small motorized bicycles," allowing anyone aged 16 or older to ride without a license. However, traffic rules must be followed.

• Where to ride: Ride on the left side of the road or in bicycle lanes. Riding on sidewalks is generally prohibited, but switching to the 6 km/h maximum speed mode allows riding on certain sidewalks
• Helmets: Wearing one is an "effort obligation" (not mandatory), but strongly recommended for safety
• Drunk riding: Strictly prohibited, just like driving a car, with penalties for violations
• Two riders: Prohibited

Penalties for violations are not light. Drunk riding can result in up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 1,000,000 yen. Running a red light carries a 6,000-yen fine, and riding on sidewalks illegally also carries a 6,000-yen fine. Specified small motorized bicycles are subject to the same traffic laws as cars - do not assume that because it is a simple vehicle, the consequences are minor.

LUUP uses a pay-per-use model of "unlock fee + time-based fee." The unlock fee is 50 yen per ride, and the time fee is approximately 15-18 yen per minute. Here are cost estimates by ride duration.

• 5 minutes: 50 + 75-90 = 125-140 yen
• 10 minutes: 50 + 150-180 = 200-230 yen
• 15 minutes: 50 + 225-270 = 275-320 yen
• 20 minutes: 50 + 300-360 = 350-410 yen
• 30 minutes: 50 + 450-540 = 500-590 yen

Electric scooters average 15-20 km/h, making the per-kilometer cost roughly 20-30 yen. Compared to a taxi's base fare (approximately 500-600 yen), LUUP is significantly cheaper for trips under 2 km. As a "last mile" solution from the station to your destination, the cost-performance is excellent.

How much would LUUP cost per month for regular use? Here are estimates for typical scenarios.

Commuting (10 minutes one way x 20 days/month): Unlock fee 50 yen + time fee 150-180 yen = 200-230 yen per trip. Round trip 400-460 yen, monthly cost 8,000-9,200 yen. If a monthly pass is available, it may be more economical depending on usage frequency.

Train + LUUP vs. taxi (1.5 km from station to destination): A taxi's base fare is approximately 500-600 yen, with a 1.5 km fare around 700-900 yen. LUUP covers the same distance in about 5-7 minutes for just 125-180 yen. Even including the train fare, the total is usually less than half the taxi cost.

Cost comparison with other transport (1.5 km trip): Bus fare is approximately 210-230 yen, bike sharing is about 130-170 yen for 30 minutes. LUUP at 5-7 minutes costs 125-180 yen, comparable to or slightly less than a bus for short distances. The difference from bike sharing is small, but not requiring physical effort is LUUP's advantage.

While electric scooters are convenient, safety precautions are essential. For your first ride, practice in a quiet area before heading into traffic.

• Starting: Push off with one foot before engaging the throttle for a smooth start
• Braking: Sudden braking can cause falls - decelerate gradually in advance
• Curbs: Curbs between sidewalks and roads, as well as drain grate covers, pose a high fall risk - slow down when crossing them
• Weather: Wet roads on rainy days are slippery - avoid riding in the rain

LUUP is suitable for various scenarios including commuting from the station to the office or school, going out for lunch, and weekend shopping. Unlike bike sharing, it requires no physical effort, making it easy to use in business settings where you do not want to arrive sweaty.

It is also gaining attention as a sightseeing transportation option. For distances between tourist spots that are too far to walk, riding an electric scooter lets you enjoy the breeze while traveling comfortably.

While electric scooters are a convenient mode of transport, they have some drawbacks. Knowing these in advance helps you avoid unexpected situations.

• Cannot use in rain: Wet roads increase fall risk, making rainy-day riding impractical. If you rely solely on LUUP for commuting, you need an alternative for rainy days
• Limited station locations: If there is no station near your destination, you still need to walk the remaining distance. Check station locations in the app beforehand
• Not suitable for heavy luggage: Both hands must grip the handlebars while riding, limiting luggage to a backpack. Riding with shopping bags is dangerous and should be avoided
• Battery level risk: Scooters at stations may have low battery. Insufficient charge can cause speed reduction mid-ride or prevent you from reaching your destination. Make it a habit to check the battery level in the app before riding
• Cold in winter: Riding at 20 km/h makes the wind chill feel 5-10 degrees colder than the actual temperature. A windproof jacket and gloves are essential in winter
• Risk of not wearing a helmet: While wearing one is only an effort obligation, in the event of an accident, head injuries are significantly more severe without one. A standard bicycle helmet is sufficient - wearing one is strongly recommended

If you want to learn more about safe electric scooter riding and the latest developments in micro-mobility, try searching Amazon with the keywords below. You can also find helmets and protective gear.