#Japan #Luup #Fukui #electric kickboard #Oi Town, Fukui

LUUP's Innovative Micro-Mobility Solutions in Oi Town, Fukui

The company Luup, headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, is rolling out its micro-mobility service "LUUP" in Oi Town, Fukui, as part of its initiative "LUUP for Community". This service aims to address various mobility challenges by providing electric kickboards and electric assist bikes from June 1 to November 30, 2026. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the service has been made available in this picturesque area which draws around 90,000 to 100,000 tourists annually.

Background of the Initiative

Luup is dedicated to transforming urban infrastructure into more accessible spaces, allowing for smoother transportation throughout Japanese cities. The mission since 2020 has been to provide efficient solutions for the first and last mile of transportation through their micro-mobility options. With features designed for short-distance travel, Luup intends to help everyone in Japan enjoy greater freedom of movement.

Oi Town, with its stunning ria coast along Wakasa Bay, is naturally appealing and serves as a key tourist destination. However, the predominance of private vehicle travel has posed challenges in promoting inter-facility movement. Tourists typically visit local stations without much exploration in between, which stifles the potential relationship between these attractions. To tackle these issues, the local government has initiated a demonstration project utilizing LUUP. Working alongside local law enforcement, they have ensured the program is safe and effective, confirming the transport possibilities within the town's tourism facilities.

Furthermore, the Mayor of Oi Town, Hiroshi Nakatsuya stated, "Since we began our electric mobility sharing demonstration in 2023, we’ve experienced no significant accidents and have received positive feedback from users. This year, we aim to expand our fleet and rental stations for a wider verification process. We look forward to improving mobility for our residents and enhancing access to tourist attractions."

LUUP Service Overview

Key Features:

• - Service type: Micro mobility sharing
• - How it works: Users can download the smartphone app "LUUP" to access electric kickboards and assist bicycles, moving from port to port within the designated area.
• - Service duration: Available from June 1 to November 30.
• - Cost: The first 10 minutes are free, then 100 yen for every additional 10 minutes (with some variations in pricing depending on the region).
• - Fleet specifications: 11 electric kickboards and 4 electric assist bicycles, with 8 ports strategically located including major attractions like SEESEAPARK and Ocean Resort Hotel & Spa.
• - Operating hours: Available 24 hours, although some ports may vary.
• - Usage conditions for electric kickboards: Riders need to submit age verification documents and pass a traffic rules test. This is not mandatory for those using only electric assist bicycles.
• - Insurance: Users are covered for property damage, personal liability, and injuries sustained while riding the vehicles. More information can be found here.

LUUP for Community

This initiative encourages municipalities, corporations, and organizations to adopt and manage the LUUP service across Japan. By addressing short-distance travel needs, LUUP contributes to enhancing the value of local businesses and communities, providing better access to attractions, and offering users an expanded range of mobility options. Luup supplies the vehicles and operational support while local partners manage logistics at their locations. Interested parties can learn more by visiting their special site here.

Company Background

Luup was founded in July 2018 and operates from Shinagawa, Tokyo. More details about their service can be found at their website.

The LUUP app is available for download here for iOS 16 and above or Android OS 10.0 and later devices. Users are encouraged to keep their app updated to ensure optimal performance.

For more inquiries about the service, please reach out through this link.