Police recommend safety training for reckless cyclists
TOKYO —
A panel of experts appointed by the National Police Agency in October to come up with measures to reduce the number of violations has recommended that it be mandatory for cyclists who break the rules to attend classes on safe bike riding and cycling etiquette.
According to a nationwide survey by the National Police Agency, 3,956 violations by cyclists were logged in 2011.
About 32.2% of the violations involved riders with brakeless “piste bikes,” also known as “fixed brake bikes” or “fixies” on public roads. In Japan, the law requires that bicycles have both front and rear brakes. Failure to install both before riding on a public road is punishable by a fine of up to 50,000 yen.
Fixies entered the public consciousness in Japan when comedian Mitsunori Fukuda, 36, a member of the comedy team Tutorial, received a ticket for riding a piste bike without brakes last year.
About 28.1% of the violations involved running red lights and 12.6% were riders ignoring barriers at railroad crossings. Police say indictments were filed in only 17 cases, TBS reported.
According to the NPA, the 144,018 bicycle accidents in 2011 constituted about 20% of the total number of traffic accidents. Most involved injuries, and over half were caused by traffic violations, such as failing to look both ways before crossing an intersection.
According to the data, there were 633 fatal bicycle accidents last year, with most occurring in Saitama, Tokyo, Aichi and Osaka prefectures.
The panel recommended that riders who break traffic laws and cause accidents be made to attend classes on safety, Jiji Press reported. It also said that elderly people should be encouraged to attend bicycle safety classes.
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21 Comments
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3
semperfi
Many European countries that I've been too - as well as Canadian and American cities follow these practices . . .. YOU don't need to spend money to run " classes on bycling etiquette" - just ENFORCE the legislation. . . .
3
Harry_Gatto
The laws concerning cyclists already exist, the high death toll for cyclists is very much the fault of the lazy police not enforcing them, schools and parents not providing proper road safety training.
3
noriyosan73
There five lessons that need to be learned: 1. The bicyclist is not the only vehicle on the road. 2. The bicyclist is not the only vehicle on the road. 3. The bicyclist is not the only vehicle on the road. 4. The bicyclist has to follow all the rules of the road that a car or truck driver must follow. 5. Helmets must be worn until the age of 18. If the typical Japanese bicyclist were to try to ride in San Francisco, he or she would be killed simply because the rules of the road in California were not followed.
2
gaijintraveller
'About 32.2% of the violations involved riders with brakeless “piste bikes"' As TheInterstat says this is evidently not true although it maybe an offence the police actually check for. Riding on the pavement (that is sidewalk to Americans) and riding without lights at might are far more common. The violations may even be so common that they considered the norm.
This summer I was in Britain. I noticed the police on bikes there. They wore protective headgear and brightly coloured reflective clothing. They were teaching by example. Perhaps, the Japanese police on bicycles should follow their example.
1
semperfi
Japan needs to pass laws stating Road Rules apply to cyclists ( just as they do to all vehicles) -. . . .Cyclists should be required to wear helmuts ( especially children) . . . .The legislation needs to be enforced with stiff penalties . . . .
1
TheInterstat
'About 32.2% of the violations involved riders with brakeless “piste bikes"'
No they did NOT! 32% of the people actually stopped and charged with a violation, maybe, but the largest majority of people actually breaking the laws on a daily basis, are the everyday person on their shopping bike. You have seen it. I have seen it. This behaviour will never stop.
1
Disillusioned
Ha ha! This will be the same as the 'waste of time' lecture you have to sit through when you renew your licence. It means nothing and only inconveniences people.
Police say indictments were filed in only 17 cases
And, this is the problem! It is the same for vehicle drivers. If the flops started dishing out fines to everyone that breaks road rules they would be rich and there would be no need to inconvenience people with a stupid lecture!
1
smithinjapan
Perhaps they should just look into enforcing current laws, which most police don't know.
Anyway, it's unbelievable you can get a fine of 50,000 for 'fixies' but if you don't wear a seatbelt you don't get a fine at all. Hell, a drinking and driving fine isn't much higher than that.
1
kimuzukashiiiii
Good idea! BUT personally I think that also many, many more cycle lanes in cities would go a long way towards fixing the problem too. Accidents on main roads are much easier to occur when cyclists are weaving in and out of cars...
0
edojin
If the police start ordering errant bicyclists to be schooled in safe riding, then classrooms everywhere will be filled to overflowing with bad cyclists ...
0
Snolygoster
JT: These bicycles are called "fixed gear bicycles," not "fixed brake bicycles" as described in the article.
0
Knox Harrington
Much like Disillusioned said, an enormous waste of time. I had the (dis)pleasure of sitting through one of those "renewal lectures" and while it might not have been the most boring thing I have done, it sure as hell didn't help me be a better driver.
What good is this idea gonna do? It's an idea, formed in an office somewhere by bureaucrats having nothing of worth to do. Probably a mid-level bureaucrat when thinking about it. An all subordinates clap their hands and bow and what have you, making the genius who birthed this idea feeling like an important and big man. Fantastic.
What should be done, of course, is to check up on cyclists more often. Where I live in Tokyo, there is a crossing that has both the zebra crossing (for pedestriants) and a bike lane next to it. Easy enough to understand, right. Except the zebra stripes are always crawling with these oba(a)san on their mamachari, barely able to keep their balance and always demanding right of way. We have new bike lanes as well. That is good. They are usually occupied by cars, semi-parked, watching Tv on their little "kaanabi". Have seen police officers ride by without so much of a word to these selfish drivers. So what do they paint bike lanes for? For fun? To make it appear as if they care* I still struggle to understand why riding on the sidewalks is tolerated in Japan. Sure, if you're 85 it might be safer for you to ride there instead of on the streets but what about people walking? No siree.
The truth probably is that no one cares. Just drop a few hundred "sumimasen" an all is good. Forever.
0
warnerbro
Roads, especially in residential areas, are too bloody narrow and lack footpaths for pedestrians. Urban Japan was in many respects (re)built on the cheap after the war when there was a chance to build roads for motor vehicles instead of jinrikisha.
0
Stewart
When I was at school in the UK, we had to pass a police run course and got our 'Cycling Proficiency Certificate' to be allowed to cycle to school - we showed to certificate to our home room teacher who gave us a sticker for our bikes. No sticker and we were stopped at the school gate and not allowed to bring the bike into the school bicycle park. Being young kids the course was fun and a good way for the police to make a good impression - it also drilled basic cycle safety and maintenance into it us at an early age.
-1
CraigHicks
Yes an incredible number of people ride there bikes on the wrong side of the street. Not jut for 20 meters or so to shorten their journey a little, but as a matter of course. And there are many other stupid things going on as well.
BUT it does not mean that the 144,018 bicycle accidents were all caused by bicyclist mistakes. I was smashed in the rear end of my bicycle by a motorcyclist who lost control; I flew more than a few meters through the air and along the ground, luckily got away with only a bloody backside. The roads are very crowded here and accidents are more likely to happen because of that, One-sided painting of the cyclist as a criminal is a cop out and actually manslaughter.
-1
José Simón Álvarez-Benavides
The problems that this piece highlights are common in other countries too. I agree with some of you that tolerance and a proper compliance with current legislation would help to reduce these problems enormously-- which includes the police not turning a blind eye to infringements of the law too. It is interesting to see that the Japanese authorities are thinking about training people how to ride the bicycles 'after' the riders have been caught breaking the relevant road safety laws. It would appear that bicycles are a vehicle like any other so the people 'driving' these vehicles should have to pass some basic test before they are allowed to ride their bikes. Likewise, some form of compulsory insurance may be something worth considering for when cyclists cause accidents that involve the possible infliction of injuries on pedestrians-- of course registration number plates, etc. have to form part of using bicycles. Personally, I believe that bicycles should not be ridden on the pavement which should be the exclusive natural space of pedestrians. To this effect motorists also need to be made aware of the right of cyclists to use the roads without being harassed by the drivers of heavier vehicles who think that they have an exclusive and sacrosanct right to drive on the roads. Like I said: Tolerance and a compliance with current legislation should suffice the issue. Otherwise, all we are doing as the very English saying goes is 'shutting the stable door after the horse...' Happy new year everyone.
-1
kurisupisu
The law is skewed and ignored because it is the vehicle driver not the cyclist that the police lean as that is where the money is to be found in insurance companies and compensation. Also,any form of accident requires the vehicle driver to renew the license after 3 years and not 5. Thus police coffers benefit.
-1
noriyosan73
Another full employment act. Will there be a cramming school when the incompetent daytime teachers fail to teach adequately? ONE LAW. All bicyclist must follow the same traffic rules as the vehicles. Start with preschool students and continue on so that the kids start making the parents feel guilty about disobeying traffic laws.
-2
Ewan Huzarmy
The way some of these young tearaways come bombing down the hill towards me, two per cycle, you'd think someone had fixed their brakes !
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