■ A Crash Course Guide to Bicycle Safety 自転車を安全に乗るために
A revised Road Traffic Law came into effect in June - containing the first changes to the nation's cycling rules since 1978. According to Aichi Prefectural Police, the number of bicycle related traffic accident has been increasing - 3811 people were injured or
killed in bicycle related traffic accidents in Aichi in the first four months of 2008 alone! One in every six people injured or killed in a traffic accident is a cyclist.
With no license needed, anyone - young or old - can ride a bicycle. You’ve seen them cycling on the road or sidewalk, speeding past pedestrians, zipping in front of cars.
Many cyclists are simply unaware that under Japan’s traffic law, bicycles along with carts, trailers, sleds, horses, and cattle are classed as light vehicles (kei-sha-ryo
軽車両). Under the law, unless there is a designated lane light vehicles have to travel on the left-hand side of the road along with regular motor vehicles. In Nagoya many main
roads have designated side strips for light vehicles and sidewalk cycle lanes are common. However, problems start to occur on small back roads when cyclists and motorists compete for road space.
Bicycles also have to obey all relevant traffic signs, signals, & markings: this includes traffic lights, stop signs, no entry signs, and speed limits. According the National Police
Agency, in 2005 40% of cyclist fatalities were caused by cyclists going through red lights or stop signs without stopping.
For your own safety and the safety of others, please follow the below traffic rules and give consideration to others when you ride a bicycle.
■Riding a Bicycle on a Sidewalk
Ordinary bicycles are allowed to ride on the sidewalk only when:
1 when the traffic sign permits / instructs you to do so
2 when the riders are infants or children
3 when riding on the sidewalk is an only option due to traffic situation on the road
Most main roads in Nagoya City have a designated bicycle lane provided on the sidewalk. Pedestrians have the priority on the sidewalks, if markings are not clear cyclists should ride on the side close to the street.
■Helmets
Children under 13 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle - even if they are only a passenger; it is the responsibility of the parent / guardian.
■Prohibited Behaviour and Penalty
There are several rules for riding a bicycle safely. Violators face a potential penalty.
■Riding a bicycle under the influence of alcohol ➠Up to five years imprisonment or a fine of upto 1 million Yen.
■Riding at night without a headlamp or using an umbrella or cell phone ➠A fine of upto 50,000 Yen
■Carrying a passenger (over the age of 6) or riding in tandem with another bicycle ➠ A fine of upto 20,000 Yen
■Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign, or cycling dangerously (for example riding with broken brakes) ➠ Up to 3 months imprisonment or a fine of upto 50,000 Yen.
■Helmets
