Ban on riding bicycles with 2 kids to be lifted

Thursday 24th July, 10:31 AM JST

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Latest 15 of 62 Total Comments Show All

nigelboy at 09:21 AM JST - 25th July

smithinjapan

Thank you. So why are these laws ridiculous?
smithinjapan at 10:13 AM JST - 25th July

Nigelboy: I don't think the laws are ridiculous at all (though I may have said that, it's not what I intended); it's the (lack of) ENFORCEMENT that's ridiculous, and the fact that the police are willing to look the other way on just about anything in this country. What I also meant by my statement is that ignorance and the lack of knowledge/respect for laws here is also disgusting.
nigelboy at 10:23 AM JST - 25th July

smithinjapan

Thank you. I'm in agreement.
aedfed at 10:30 AM JST - 25th July

Given Japan's current fertility rates, there can't be too many mothers with two kids to pack around.

However, I've always felt that the strong bond Japanese kids have with their mothers comes from the number of death defying near misses they experienced together while riding a bicycle.
TheguyNextdoor at 12:47 PM JST - 25th July

you're doing exactly like the Japanese do, you "think" about it, but don't DO anything about it. Why not give em a taste of what you're thinking? Even if you don't speak one word of Japanese, it'll at least wake them up. Stand up and BE ASSERTIVE. Don't get stressed out from what others are doing

Pizzaboy- Be assertive?! I don't get stressed, just seeing it makes me cringe (for the kids sake). As for being assertive and speaking up, why is there a need for me to speak up when I don't get paid for enforcement of Japanese road laws. I don't need to speak in any language to an adult riding a bicycle in traffic with a 9yr old kid on the back without a helmet, and cell phone in hand. Would you try to stop someone who is doing all these things, so to distract them even more and cause them to have an accident that could be fatal to not only themselves, but other drivers on the road. I see it this way, its common sense and if this lady didn't have it, i can't do anything about. I'm not complaining about it, its not me or my kid. Its not me enforcing the law which is never enforced. I'm a foreign man living here with his family and following the rules. If you are willing to harass, and i say harass someone while in motion in the street to tell them they are breaking the law (which will and most definitely cause them to lose even more focus, hit the curb and you know what comes next), you partially at fault. I don't want that on my hands. Enough said, if you have laws, the law enforcement should be enforcing them. Isn't that why they get paid? Protect and Serve?

Recently i saw a mother who was with a child (kid had to be at least 9)on the back of her bike, riding with cell phone in hand on the side of the road (the white line on your left neariest the side walk).

Nagoyagaijin- didn't say she was on the side walk, i do know that is illegal.
Zen_Builder at 06:13 PM JST - 25th July

What I think a LOT of people here forget is that they don't give a free-for-all.

What the cops here are saying is simply this "Previous ban didn't work" so we are calling new rules. You can ride "2 kids" up but only on an approved cycle, if not ...

By saying "approved cycle only" it also makes the cops job easier and if you haven't got one you get nailed.

Also look at the timing when the new rules will be enforced they co-incite with the major bicycle shopping spree for moms for the new year.

And, yes, I know a LOT of people will call foul that the goverment gets kick-backs from guys like BridgeStone, Giant(Korean), etc.
pizzaboy at 07:23 PM JST - 25th July

Theguynextdoor: I guess that's where we differ. I don't need to get paid to stick my nose out there when a kid has come flying around the corner and smashed into my bike, I'll make em cross the street and continue on with their day and give em a scolding while i'm at it. I'll glare and stay stuff to guys on their motorbikes and people in their cars when they've cut me off (if i'm lucky enough to catch up to em at the next light). I'm not talking about clothes-lining a guy b/c he's doing illegal suff, but if it's affects me, I let them hear about it. People need to know when they're doing dangerous things, b/c most of the time they aren't hearing it from their parents/friends/the cops/other drivers/pedestrians etc. Why do you just keep your head up your rear and don't take action? It can be peaceful action, doens't have to involve violence or stupidity.
illsayit at 09:19 PM JST - 26th July

This is a silly law, thank goodness it is being lifted. I dont think its anybody but those riding the bike who can determine how safe or not safe they are. Some of you talk as if it is totally undeniable that riding with 2 is unsafe, or without a helmet is unsafe. My opinion is different, thank goodness Japan has some sense too!
Blue_Tiger at 06:10 AM JST - 28th July

There's a ban on this? Must not be in Chiba or Hokkaido, as I've seen mothers and fathers riding with three children on bicycles in both prefectures.
TheguyNextdoor at 09:32 AM JST - 28th July

Pizzaboy: I see what you are saying, but I'm not interested in raising someone else's child (by your scolding). I've given people the evil eye when they know they are in the wrong, my point was, that i was not going to attempt to say something to the lady while in motion....i'm standing at the light and not going to run all the way down to the next one to say a word; its too hot and humid these days. The rules they have in place for riders, doesn't affect me. I don't stick my nose where it doesn't belong, that sometimes comes out worse for those who do. So, you say my head is in my rear?! Wow, thanks...didn't notice....@$$
jaybeeb at 01:41 PM JST - 28th July

Finally, some good news.
Blue_Tiger at 09:02 PM JST - 28th July

I saw a woman this afternoon riding with two children on her bike. They both had helmets on, but if there's a ban on riding a bike with two children, it is news to me!!!
smithinjapan at 06:37 PM JST - 30th July

illsayit: "This is a silly law, thank goodness it is being lifted. I dont think its anybody but those riding the bike who can determine how safe or not safe they are. Some of you talk as if it is totally undeniable that riding with 2 is unsafe, or without a helmet is unsafe. My opinion is different, thank goodness Japan has some sense too!"

This wins the 'fool's response of the day' award. I could equally say it's 'I don't think it's anybody but those driving who can determine how safe they are.' You see my point? A person is going to opt for convenience and declare it to be 'safe' over the actuality of the fact almost any day. I'm sure there are equally as foolish people who think it's all fine and 'safe' to ride a bike on the wrong side of the road at night with no light. Hell, I'm even pretty sure if you asked someone who's hit someone else because the former was emailing while on their bike if they thought it was safe, and up to the accident they would say, 'Sure!'.

Allowing people to decide for themselves what is 'safe' while others feel otherwise would lead to utter chaos; there needs to be a standard set as to what is safe, and that's what this law is. It's just a shame some selfish mothers not concerned at all for the lives of their children would rather put them in harms way than take a few more minutes to ensure their safety. THAT is a shame, and it's not 'thank goodness Japan has some sense...' at all, it's "shame on this nation"; especially the police who have no spines, and the people on the sidewalks who say nothing when all these traffic violations occur in front of and around them.
TheguyNextdoor at 09:17 AM JST - 31st July

it's "shame on this nation"; especially the police who have no spines, and the people on the sidewalks who say nothing when all these traffic violations occur in front of and around them.

Smithinjapan- it is a shame that police do nothing, but its not up to the average person to confront someone. with all these random attacks going on; you never know what would happen if you approached someone and said, hey you there! you are breaking the law! Yeah, i'm sure you would and "slash" you may have gotten stabbed. Me, on the other hand...will stay unoticed, mind my own business and carry on with my daily routines.
TheguyNextdoor at 09:20 AM JST - 31st July

does that make me spineless? No. Just makes me the law abiding individual who would rather live his own life and let others live theirs.