Job Discussion Forums

rampo · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 97

Ok, too many near-accidents here! I just cannot navigate my way through Osaka crowds! Anyone know if Razor scooters are still available?

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Yeah, but you'd look pretty stupid riding one... Unless you're 10. Why not a skateboard? They're really not terribly efficient forms of transportation. For the energy you expend just pushing off to get momentum, you'll arrive at your destination exhausted.

Stick to the bike -- just use your bell a lot.

rampo · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 97

With all the hairstyles here, I don't care about looking stupid. Besides I know those Razor scooters were popular here first.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

rampo · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 97

Well, aren't you helpful?

I'm considering this option because the walk to the subway station is long enough as it is.

Just because it's not cool from your perspective, why should that stop me from looking for one??

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

rampo · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 97

I can ride a bike- I just can't navigate my way around so many freaking people!

But thanks, I'll check out Sporttaka today.

Hoser · Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 694 Location: Toronto, Canada

sethness · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 209 Location: Hiroshima, Japan

Depending on the type of bike, and whether the Razor scooter can be folded-up and stuck in a corner, a razor scooter might be preferable simply because it can be taken on the subway with you, and stored in the same place you hang your jacket.

Bikes get stolen... a LOT.

Another factor to consider is.... if both home and office are far from the subway station, do you reeeeally want to be saddled with paying for two bikes and four bike-parking spots when a single foldable scooter will do the trick?

rampo · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 97

Why don't you ask canuck the style maven over there?

north americans are too stuck on being cool or not. Ironically they're below the rest of the world when it comes to style.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

I've been longboarding between home, stations and work for over two years now. I wouldn't be surprised if more people don't start skating here soon. Endless powder.
BONES REDS/8mm spacers/Kryptonics Cruise 70mms/Gravity 36" rip-off deck with some decent trucks.
Skate because you can.

rampo · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 97

There is a skater sub-group here but they seem more into the look than the activity.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Land of the accesorised surfers.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I don't know about Osaka, but it isn't unusual to see adults on razor kickboards in Tokyo- I have a couple of 30-something friends who ride them around the area I live in. It might look stupid but in Tokyo you can always be guaranteed that around the corner is someone doing something/ looking more outlandish than you, so looking weird is not a problem.

I saw a Razor scooter (not the one above with a seat, the kickboard type) at Tokyu hands in Shinjuku at the end of last year for about 8,000 yen. I have also seen them on Yahoo Japan Auctions for about 5,000 yen less.

Go for it if you want one, don't worry about what other people think.