Reckless cyclists face crackdown

[h=1]Reckless cyclists face crackdown[/h][h=2]Safety blitz amid surge in riders, violations and accidents[/h]
By MINORU MATSUTANI
Staff writer
Bicyclists are on the increase, but so are accidents involving them as well as reckless, illegal riding, prompting Tokyo police to launch a crackdown.

People who ride bicycles without proper brakes or run red lights may face a fine of up to \50,000. Failing to ride slowly and carefully on sidewalks can result in a fine of up to \20,000. Police plan to strictly enforce the new measures while at the same time enhancing safety...

Overall, cyclists who, according to police, violated the Road Traffic Law numbered 1,438 last year, compared with 574 in 2009. The number from this January to September was 1,351.

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<a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20111026f1.html" href="http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20111026f1.html">[video=youtube;4WHiY9gx30I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=4WHiY9gx30I[/video]

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I'm glad that they will become stricter towards cyclists because there has been many times that I have seen cyclists racing around in the shopping centres, and on pedestrians etc. Do you have a bicycle in Japan and what is your driving style? Have you ever seen an accident, or became very annoyed by cyclists?

I am sure that Thomas can share some more thoughts about this subject!

I'll believe it when I see it.

My idea for effective enforcement of traffic rules for bicycling scofflaws has always been on-the-spot crushing their bicycles down into a little cube and chaining it to their ankles.

Davey said:

Do you have a bicycle in Japan and what is your driving style? Have you ever seen an accident, or became very annoyed by cyclists? I am sure that Thomas can share some more thoughts about this subject!

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Don't get me started on that topic, Davey!

If by cyclists you mean mamma-chari riding ignorants imperiling others by texting, holding umbrellas, riding recklessly on the sidewalk, using the wrong lane, not using lights at night, using red (or blue LED) lights on their front bar, etc. or more than one of the above at the same time, then YES: I'm annoyed every bloody day!

Commuting daily I cycle between 15-20k km a year, 75 percent of which is urban commuting. In traffic, I do not differenciate between pedestrians and mamma-chari riders as they display the same mindset and the same inability to act in a predictable fashion. When I went to driving school centuries ago we were taught of the 'principle of trust', meaning that we can basically rely on the fact that other road users (except for children and the intoxicated) are aware of and respect the traffic regulations. I have learned not to trust any of them.

So the police cracking down on cyclists? Be my guest. I hope they also crack down on cigarette-flicking, lane-swerving, music-blaring scooters and senile taxi drivers, not to mention the bosozoku, a pest of their own. To Mike's delight and despite a few close calls I haven't made any real negative experience with truck and bus drivers yet. They're mostly pros and what's more, I try not to enrage them. That concludes my rant.

We have had a couple of related discussions on the TCC forum:

Tokyo Cops in New Crackdown - Tokyo Cycling Club BBS

More on the Law - Tokyo Cycling Club BBS

Bicycle Lane Article in Mainichi Today (Oct. 26) - Tokyo Cycling Club BBS

NHK article on brakeless fixies this morning. - Tokyo Cycling Club BBS