News Helmets mandatory for cyclists from April 2023

[mdchachi]

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.

Oh man. Glad you're all right. No question that helmets save lives.

 

[thomas]

Observing my fellow cyclists, I noticed that the number of those wearing helmets has barely increased. The issue wasn't a big topic during the semi-annual Traffic Safety Week in May, either.

This is not helmet-related, but sometimes, the police do their job: I wonder how much the cyclist below was fined.

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[johnnyG]

Also, hard to tell but at 0:29 and 0:44 there may be glimpses of earbuds?

 

[HJain]

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).



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

Countries can make some of such laws more effective by linking the acts to indirect actions than just direct penalties - for example, for such laws, linking it to health insurance - say that insurance will not be applicable, and tomorrow you will see almost every Japanese (foreigner Everest climbers) will be in the queue for wearing the helmets

 

[Maciamo]

That law sounds like a revolution in Japan. The question is whether it will be enforced or be a "decorative law" like so many others in Japan.

 

[thomas]

That law sounds like a revolution in Japan. The question is whether it will be enforced or be a "decorative law" like so many others in Japan.

Currently, it is a recommendation. The NPA has announced that they will, however, start fining law-breaking cyclists in the future. Whether that will cover lidless riders or not I can't tell.