News Helmets mandatory for cyclists from April 2023

[thomas]

Don't these pesky bureaucrats know that helmets mess up hair?

As of April 2023, all cyclists will be obligated to try to follow the ordinance, though there will be no punishment for violations. Under the existing ordinance, guardians of children younger than 13 must try to have them wear a helmet when riding a bike, and the age range subjected to the rule will be expanded.

According to the National Police Agency, of the 2,145 people who died in bicycle accidents across the country between 2017 and 2021, 1,237 cyclists, or roughly 60%, were fatally injured in the head. The fatality rate among cyclists involved in accidents while wearing a helmet was 0.26%, in contrast to 0.59% of those who died without wearing one -- roughly 2.2 times higher. A July 2020 online survey on about 10,000 people conducted by a citizens group to promote helmets among cyclists revealed that an average of 11.2% of people nationally wore head protection while riding bikes. Though 63.1% of cyclists younger than 13 wore helmets, only 7.2% of people aged between 13 and 89 did so. Broken down by prefecture, the rate of cyclists wearing a helmet was highest in Ehime at 29%, followed by Nagasaki at 26% and Tottori at 18%. The percentages varied widely, with Wakayama standing at 4% and Hokkaido at 2%. It is believed that helmet awareness is higher in areas that have implemented measures such as an ordinance to mandate wearing them.

Helmets to become mandatory for all cyclists in Japan from April 2023 - The Mainichi

TOKYO -- Wearing a helmet will become mandatory for all cyclists in Japan from April 2023 onward, according to a recent Cabinet decision.

mainichi.jp

 

[Grandpa Frank]

I hated wearing one when I was younger. After having several patients who were left as drooling vegetables from head injuries , I can see where they can serve a purpose.

 

[Lothor]

I wonder why laws in Japan are sometimes written so unclearly ("obligated to try?) with no penalty for ignoring them? There must be a reason but I can't think of one.

 

[thomas]

I hated wearing one when I was younger. After having several patients who were left as drooling vegetables from head injuries , I can see where they can serve a purpose.

Four years ago, one of my bicycle mates had a front collision with a car on the way to a ride. Later, I saw the video from the motorist's dashboard cam. It was a miracle he survived. He still suffers from the trauma. Without a helmet, he'd have died on impact. Among cyclists (as @johnnyG will confirm), helmet-less riders are cynically referred to as ODs (organ donors).

I wonder why laws in Japan are sometimes written so unclearly ("obligated to try?) with no penalty for ignoring them? There must be a reason but I can't think of one.

It would be interesting to see the original bill in Japanese.

 

[Petaris]

I wonder why laws in Japan are sometimes written so unclearly ("obligated to try?) with no penalty for ignoring them? There must be a reason but I can't think of one.

Politicians have to politic. Give the illusion that you care and are doing something while not rocking the boat.

 

[johnnyG]

Yeah, I crashed maybe 8yrs ago now--on my own, no vehicles involved. I was going fast, and was done in by a long groove (running almost exactly the direction I was going), about the size/width of my front tire. Which put me down hard, unawares, on my right side. According to my garmin, the last registered speed was 37km/hr.

At first, my helmet didn't look particularly damaged (and this was several months later, after I got out of hospital). But tho the damage was not obvious, the styrofoam on the back right quarter was certainly compressed, and of course I'll never use it again. (I still have it as a souvenir.)

Not to brag, but to show what kind of head injury it likely prevented: I had a broken collarbone (two places), 7 broken ribs, and a broken pelvis. Imagine one's head hitting the asphalt with the kind of force that would do that. But my head was perfectly okay ((cue the soundtrack of Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge)).

And it's not only the rare disaster. I've also fallen over when not moving--with a foot clipped in, get distracted, can't get it out in time, and again, without any forward movement, just splat down on one side to include hitting my head. With a helmet on. Tho this seems like it would be a 'small/minor' accident, drop a melon from 1.8 meters and see if it cracks open.

Never, ever ride without a helmet.

 

[johnnyG]

I doubt this change will happen, but in most vehicle-bicycle collisions, the vehicle bears most/all of the responsibility.

Perhaps with this law, helmet-less riders in such an accident could now be seen as bearing some/partial responsibility for a head injury?

Going helmet-less is irresponsible. Like using a smartphone (or drinking) while riding. Or going lightless at night.

 

[thomas]

Not to brag, but to show what kind of head injury it likely prevented: I had a broken collarbone (two places), 7 broken ribs, and a broken pelvis. Imagine one's head hitting the asphalt with the kind of force that would do that. But my head was perfectly okay ((cue the soundtrack of Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge)). Never, ever ride without a helmet.

Your TCC title, Hardest Crash, is "well deserved" and will hopefully never be taken from you. Most of my crashes (only two ribs and a finger broken in the worst accident) were self-inflicted, too.

Perhaps with this law, helmet-less riders in such an accident could now be seen as bearing some/partial responsibility for a head injury? Going helmet-less is irresponsible. Like using a smartphone (or drinking) while riding. Or going lightless at night.

Good thinking! I would hope to see helmet-less cyclists be held partially accountable but I doubt it.

 

[mdchachi]

Come to think of it my worst accident in Japan was falling off a bike sans helmet. I was going at a quick pace on the street and a woman jaywalked in front of me from between two parked cars. I hit her and flew over the handle bars. My hands/arms got most of the impact but my face bounced on the pavement as well. I probably got a minor concussion. I didn't break anything but got a black eye and some road rash. I got up right away and asked if the lady was all right, then I sat down on the curb and passed out. Next thing I knew an ambulance had come to get me. We were both taken to the same clinic. She had a loose tooth and some bruises but, luckily I was in worse shape. I think that helped me escape more responsibility. I was cited for not having a light on my bike since it was at dusk but the lady didn't pursue damages.

I've also fallen over when not moving--with a foot clipped in, get distracted, can't get it out in time, and again, without any forward movement,

That's basically what happened to Joe Biden. He got a lot of flack for that but the guy was nearly 80. I'll be happy if I'm that fit at that age.

 

[thomas]

Mandatory helmet regulations for cyclists in Japan give shared bike operators headaches.

"Baybike" sharing service provided by the Yokohama Municipal Government, which had approximately 178,000 registered users as of the end of fiscal 2021, will begin lending helmets on a trial basis from February at its management office in the city. However, only three helmets will be lent out, and a representative of Tokyo-based Docomo Bike Share Inc., which operates the service together with the city, said, "It is not realistic to lend helmets because of the high hurdles involved in preventing theft and disinfecting them after use. Our customers may have to bring their own." Meanwhile, one of the advantages of shared bicycles is that they can be used flexibly depending on the situation. Apart from cases where the use of the bicycles is predetermined, such as for commuting or sightseeing, they are also often needed unexpectedly due to train delays or other reasons. If people are required to bring their own helmets, these advantages will be lost, and this could lead to a decrease in the number of users.

Mandatory helmets for cyclists in Japan could give shared bike operators a rough ride - The Mainichi

YOKOHAMA -- Japan's revised law requiring cyclists to wear helmets will go into effect in April, but what will happen to users of shared bicycles?

mainichi.jp

 

[thomas]

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has begun urging cyclists to wear helmets before a helmet-wearing mandate goes into effect nationwide on Saturday next week.

Officers at Tsukishima Police Station in Tokyo's Chuo Ward were seen wearing bicycle helmets on Wednesday. According to police, there were over 13,000 accidents involving cyclists in Tokyo last year, making up about 46% of traffic accidents in the metropolis, Kyodo News reported. This was an increase of over 1,000 cases from 2021. Moreover, 30 cyclists were killed. None of them were wearing a helmet, police said. Additionally, 70% of fatal bicycle accidents over the last five years were caused by traumatic head injuries. The helmet-wearing regulation, part of the Road Traffic Act, is an effort to raise awareness that the fatality rate is 2.3 times higher when protective headgear is not worn. However, there will be no fines or any other punishment for anyone not wearing a helmet.

Police urge cyclists to wear helmets ahead of mandate on April 1

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has begun urging cyclists to wear helmets before a helmet-wearing mandate goes into effect nationwide on April 1. Officers at Tsukishima Police Station in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward were seen wearing bicycle helmets on Wednesday. According to police, there were...

japantoday.com

Same in Fukuoka:

自転車のヘルメット着用　４月１日から努力義務化で呼びかけ｜NHK 福岡のニュース

【NHK】４月１日から年齢を問わず自転車に乗るすべての人にヘルメットの着用が努力義務化されるのを前に警察などが自転車の利用者にヘルメットの着用を呼び…

www3.nhk.or.jp

 

[Master of Time]

I wonder why laws in Japan are sometimes written so unclearly ("obligated to try?) with no penalty for ignoring them? There must be a reason but I can't think of one.

It was not all that long ago that Japan had an extremely authoritarian government, and its certainly no secret in Western textbooks.

I don't know if its that or simply a fundamental understanding of how push leads to shove, but I am VERY thankful, as a student of history, that the government is more likely to "urge" responsibility for one's own person rather than to slam hard crackdowns on the public.

But here is the thing that is very real world....the simple practical effect. How many disobedient Japanese do you know that need a threat of jail or fine to comply? For so many things, all the Japanese need is to get word of the "official" suggestion in the form of a law to comply. So why go acting like a fascist dictator if they don't need to? Most will comply. Those who won't likely wouldn't anyway...so it just becomes either a shakedown for money or people in jail sucking up tax revenue.

As for myself, I am fiercely individualistic and I like knowing I can make my own choices. I have utter contempt for police because most every one I have met has seemed a tad intellectually challenged and turning their brains into pretzels trying find any little thing I might done wrong to give me trouble. I am glad they don't give laws teeth. If I wanted laws with teeth and police harassment I could move back to America.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

But yeah, someone needs to invent a helmet that does not mess up your hair.

Another thing I want to point out is that I think the typical cycle helmet does not provide enough protection for the side of the head. Liam Neeson's wife, Natasha Richardson, died from a relatively minor ski crash but hit the side of her head and died within hours. There are sharp bones in there that can cause bleeding you can't even feel until its too late. Actual motorcycle helmets are totally appropriate IMO.

 

[Master of Time]

Good thinking! I would hope to see helmet-less cyclists be held partially accountable but I doubt it.

Partially accountable for a crash they may not have caused at all? That seems a bit....twisted...no?

How about they just have to pay their own medical bills? Or the actual responsible party's restitution is reduced?

 

[musicisgood]

I don't know too much about the style I don't know actually anything about this style of helmet but I personally don't like it I think there's is a very flawed design and it doesn't really protect the back of the head that much and leaving the ear wide open because it's not that you fall down on a straight flat surface there could be rocks and pebbles and other small items on the road and specially if you're into mountain biking or dirt biking the helmet just doesn't seem to be that safe although it's marketed as a very safe helmet.
Sorry I lost the link I'll try to find it again probably I can't because once the see the head on the Google News morning report it disappears from I guess your phone.

Okay I found the link great

Review: Lazer Coyote Kineticore Helmet - Pinkbike

No, the Lazer Coyote isn't a sci-fi creature. Instead, it's a light, comfortable, and reasonably priced helmet.

m.pinkbike.com

Bicycle helmets in short supply in Japan after law change

A bicycle shop chain based in the city of Chiba saw helmet sales in March jump about sixteenfold from a year earlier after safety law change.

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[nice gaijin]

Hmm I think helmet makers have struggled to make a helmet actually look cool, and this is no exception. It looks a little undersized for this model, mostly because the high clearance over the ears I guess. The duckbill also looks a little high up, like a visor that's been raised? But really those are all just aesthetic complaints.

From behind, it actually looks like it offers quite a bit of coverage to the back of the skull. Though it looks look it also sits a little high on the head back there, it's protecting the vital bits, and the most important spec is that it's using their "kineticore" system which is similar to the MIPS standard. This kind of design is reason enough to upgrade the old brain buckets.

@musicisgood did you read the review article? I'm not really sure where your assessment that the helmet design is flawed is coming from...

 

[mdchachi]

If you're going to wear a helmet you may as well go in style.

 

[nice gaijin]

What a lovely day... for a bike ride!

 

[thomas]

The NPA released the latest bicycle accidents stats:

• Cyclists were involved in 23.3% of all traffic accidents in Japan in 2022, the highest rate on record.
• Some 75% of the 1,985 cyclists killed in road accidents between 2018 and 2022 were involved in crashes with motor vehicles, while one-quarter died in single-bicycle accidents.
• About 70% of the cyclists were violating laws, such as failing to confirm safety on their routes sufficiently.
• Most of those killed, or 94.9%, were not wearing helmets. Of those who died from head injuries, 96% were helmetless, while only 3.9% wore protective gear.
• Only 9.4% of the 363,000 cyclists injured during the five years wore helmets.

Bicycle accidents make up record 23.3% of traffic incidents in 2022 | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[Paint_Black]

well.... as my driving teacher told me "even with 30-40 km/h helmet probably wont save you....but it can save a lot of time for clearing you off the road)"

still. helmet gives a good protection against sudden stick-strikes in forests, stones, small but sneaky fittings in the city comunications and so on.

we've got only 1 and fragile health-bar for this life. so helmet is highly recomended....and could be customly designed)

 

[musicisgood]

My transportation is by bicycle. When touring, helmet on. Locally, it can be an on an off thing.
My new bike. Yes, that's a cane. No helmet on this day.

 

[thomas]

My transportation is by bicycle. When touring, helmet on. Locally, it can be an on an off thing.
My new bike. Yes, that's a cane. No helmet on this day.

Nice rig! It even comes with a pasta rack!

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

It would be interesting to see the original bill in Japanese.

It's been a while since I've tried to look up Japanese laws, but here's an interesting comparison between the previous version of the law and the updated law.

新旧比較表

The relevant section is Section 63 Article 11, quoted below.

第六十三条の十一
児童又は幼児を保護する責任のある者は、児童又は幼児を自転車に乗車させるときは、当該児童又は幼児に乗車用ヘルメットをかぶらせるよう努めなければならない。

第六十三条の十一 自転車の運転者は、乗車用ヘルメットをかぶるよう努めなければならない。
２ 自転車の運転者は、他人を当該自転車に乗車させるときは、当該他人に乗車用ヘルメットをかぶらせるよう努めなければならない。
３ 児童又は幼児を保護する責任のある者は、児童又は幼児が自転車を運転するときは、当該児童又は幼児に乗車用ヘルメットをかぶらせるよう努めなければならない。

My guess is that the biggest change this will have is for civil trials. It will put more of the legal responsibility toward the bicyclist and therefore remove some liability from others involved in an accident. So insurance will be affected, and that will change a lot of people's behaviour. I recall people being very conscious of insurance requirements when I was younger. Things like asking your age before letting you drive because apparently the insurance didn't cover non-listed drivers below a certain age and putting your car in neutral and engaging your parking brake when stopped at traffic lights.

 

[Petaris]

putting your car in neutral and engaging your parking brake when stopped at traffic lights.

I can't believe that anyone does that. Including the politicians who passed the law and the instructors who teach it.

I have always wondered, are you required to carry some form of ID when on a bicycle (for Japanese, not tourists who must always have their passport)? Is there bicycle insurance that you must/should have? What happens if you get stopped by a police officer if you don't have any ID on you?

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

I can't believe that anyone does that. Including the politicians who passed the law and the instructors who teach it.

I have always wondered, are you required to carry some form of ID when on a bicycle (for Japanese, not tourists who must always have their passport)? Is there bicycle insurance that you must/should have? What happens if you get stopped by a police officer if you don't have any ID on you?

Yeah, people do that. I don't know how common it is nation-wide, but I've seen plenty of people do it. I got in the habit myself (not anymore, though).

Section 64 speaks to that...it says that you need a license for "motorized bicycles" or "原動機付自転車" but no mention of regular bicycles, so I guess there's no requirement?

Here's a English/Japanese side by side version of the old law, for reference.

https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/2962#je_ch4sc1at11

Good question about the insurance. I have no clue, unless it's rolled into car insurance or supplementary medical insurance, etc.?

 

[Bingo001]

I had 2 concussions as a child from bicycle accidents. As an adult, I was an active cyclist and got broadsided by a car that ran a stop sign. I got some broken bones and my helmet was damaged, but no concussion this time. I am convinced my helmet saved my life. It was my head and shoulders that took the brunt of the impact as by body shattered his windshield.