A Fukuokan's Notes from Sapporo

Even in this remote area, an e-scooter hire service has been introduced (see here for details of the service).

But I think I heard that they are already banned in some countries because they are too dangerous to ride alongside four-wheeled vehicles on public roads.  I wonder what's the point of adding such mobility in this area, where cars, motorbikes and even bicycles (with some cyclists riding the wrong way round) share the same narrow roads. 

Is it only me who smells something fishy in this development, like that of the exercise equipment linked to the bribery case? I certainly hope not.