Rollerblading

[Drkns]

Hey all,

I was wondering whether the use of rollerblades in place of a bicycle - as a means of transport - is considered acceptable in Japan (mainly in cities, of course) and physically possible (types of pavement, sewer gratings, etc.). Also, would one be allowed on a train with rollerblades on?

If you've knowledge or an opinion regarding this, please feel free to post and help me out :relief:.

Thanks,
Drkns.

[Harvey]

Acceptable yes, pysically possible... honestly not really.
On Train, allowed... yes... stopped... probably not.

I play roller hockey, looove my skates, have them in Japan, but have only used them when I specifically get together with my friends for the purpose of playing hockey. And then we go to a park that we only go to for that purpose. For recreational skating you would also have to travel to your location before putting skates on.

Generally, the roads are too crowded, too hilly, and to many old people to make using skates as transportation in the big cities a reasonable idea.

Now, Paris on the other hand... you would be amazed at how many people rollerblade over there! They're NUTS about it, and it is fully accepted as a regular means of transportation. Even business men will put on their stakes and skate to work while wearing a suit! Tres bien!

[Drkns]

Awww... it seemed like such an excellent method of saving money, exercising, and reducing the chance of hitting somebody (I find rollerblades easier to control than bicycles). I suppose there is little to be done about that, although it's great to hear that there are some people who play roller hockey - I had a growing suspicion that non-mainstream sports were very rare in Japan :-).

[Harvey]

I had a growing suspicion that non-mainstream sports were very rare in Japan

By definition, if a non-mainstream sport is not rare in a place... doesn't that mean it's no longer mainstream?

Hehe. Just joking. I'm a geek.

[Windy]

I had the subway guy give me the old dame sign when I had the rollerblades on. He didn't speak to me, just let me know that he disapproved of me having a great deal of fun standing on the pretty empty train with the blades on as the train took off and arrived at each station you roll like mad toward the door at the end and then grab the rings at the last minute to save yourself. Though, on second thought, maybe he just disapproved of the fact I was quite drunk.

On the street is possible for the most part, though most people stare.

Overzealous building security might get cranky at you.

Carrefour staff in Japan rolerblade around.

[Harvey]

having a great deal of fun standing on the pretty empty train with the blades on as the train took off and arrived at each station you roll like mad toward the door at the end and then grab the rings at the last minute to save yourself.

That's crazy!

[Drkns]

Haha, that is indeed insane! Still, it sounds like a lot of fun :p

Carrefour staff would be... ?

Thanks,
Drkns.

[Sakura-Chan]

haha when I move to japan I'm most deffinatly bringin my blades anyways :3 I love blading instead of bikes..I had a bike in the summer with my host family sometimes and I suck at riding them between people..I almost hit this business guy who gave me the meanest look, haha. I apologized but he glared like none other!