So many bike stories!

[PsychoticNess]

I was just wondering what the general population of Japan would think if one brought a BMX type bike over. Would they stop you often? Be interested? Or would they not even care haha? Just wondering, because even though multi-speed mountain/cruising bikes are probably better, I am a BMX enthusiast. Though it might be wierd to see a 18/19 year old gaijin struttin around on a little BMX trick bike. Then again I'll always skateboard ^_^

[Pachipro]

I don't know. With so many people using bicycles the general population may not even notice, but the bike enthusiasts may. Just make sure it has a light and is registered as you will probably be stopped by the police on a few occasions.

[DoctorP]

I know of quite a few BMX riders here. You may get a few looks or questions, but I think most of the looks will be due to genuine interest.

I watch the kids here regularly while they try to pull off tricks...actually I laugh a lot when they screw it up!

The BMX bikes are not as popular as skateboarders, but there are some riders here. I wouldn't worry too much.

[Mike Cash]

If you can actually successfully perform a trick, you'll be a god.

I couldn't begin to count the number of bike/skateboard guys I've watched attempt tricks over the years. I recall seeing only one successful attempt at anything.

[nice gaijin]

Originally Posted by Mike Cash

If you can actually successfully perform a trick, you'll be a god.

I couldn't begin to count the number of bike/skateboard guys I've watched attempt tricks over the years. I recall seeing only one successful attempt at anything.

That must be quite an ego-stroke... makes quite a bit of sense, all things considered.

I'd sooner prefer a good mountain bike or hybrid; I've always seen BMX and trick boards as practically worthless for transportation no matter where you are. I think even a longboard would also be pretty useless in Japan as a means of transportation.

[Carlson]

It not uncommon to see BMX bikes in the Tokyo area. Every week when i go to Harajuku there is the usual guys in the Bike area and the rest with skateboards. This Video I took In harajuku for the heck of it.

[jaytee]

My uncle who's been living in Osaka for 3 years now has a number of bikes stolen, and once he got sick of the cheap bikes that are everywhere in Japan and he bought a new mountain bike which was pinched within 2 weeks, he said never again, it's just not worth it, you might as well just by a cheap crappy one that u couldn't give a monkeys about if it was stolen.
Keep an eye on your bike!

[Tyshepp]

I bought a $60 15-speed Kent. It's cheap, but it moves my old fart self from home to the beach and back. Actually I'm having a lot of fun exploring the southern Kanto Plain on my bike. Don't have to worry about parking or driving after a few chu hi's.

[thomas]

Originally Posted by Tyshepp

I bought a $60 15-speed Kent. It's cheap, but it moves my old fart self from home to the beach and back. Actually I'm having a lot of fun exploring the southern Kanto Plain on my bike. Don't have to worry about parking or driving after a few chu hi's.

A word of warning: since July police have started to crack down on drunken cyclists.

[Tyshepp]

Originally Posted by thomas

A word of warning: since July police have started to crack down on drunken cyclists.

Yeah, i understand, but I wasn't talkin about being totally snockered. But with the BAC for an "imparment" charge at .03, I figure thats about one, at most two drinks for an average size man, its better on a bike.
Do they have a BAC limit for riding bikes too?

[thomas]

Originally Posted by Tyshepp

Yeah, i understand, but I wasn't talkin about being totally snockered. But with the BAC for an "imparment" charge at .03, I figure thats about one, at most two drinks for an average size man, its better on a bike. Do they have a BAC limit for riding bikes too?

Don't quote me on that, but if you ride on roads your bike's considered a "vehicle" , therefore the Road Traffic Law applies to cyclist as well.

[Mike Cash]

Originally Posted by thomas

Don't quote me on that, but if you ride on roads your bike's considered a "vehicle" , therefore the Road Traffic Law applies to cyclist as well.

Which is why the bicycle riders who insist on riding in the street (because they're "vehicles") tick me off so bad.

They conveniently ignore every single other traffic and common sense rule and are a hazard to themselves and everybody around them. When I become Dictator, there will be a bounty paid on their pelts.

[RockLee]

Hahaha Mike I do tend to agree that riding in the street is dangerous, and they should put some effort in providing bicyclists an alternative way.

[nice gaijin]

As a pedestrian, I find bikes on the sidewalk to be more obnoxious and dangerous than bikes on the road. I'm sure my feelings would change if I were behind the wheel in Japan. Around here, there are plenty of bike lanes and not that many bikes, so they don't seem to get in the way as much. If I ever find myself in Gunma, I'll walk my bike for Mike's sanity.

[Mike Cash]

Originally Posted by nice gaijin

As a pedestrian, I find bikes on the sidewalk to be more obnoxious and dangerous than bikes on the road. I'm sure my feelings would change if I were behind the wheel in Japan. Around here, there are plenty of bike lanes and not that many bikes, so they don't seem to get in the way as much. If I ever find myself in Gunma, I'll walk my bike for Mike's sanity.

It's the spandex-clad brethren in Tokyo who are the problem.

I'd be more tolerant of them if, insisting on their right to ride in the street, they went the whole nine yards and obeyed the other traffic rules as well. They ignore red lights, never ever look around to see if they are either in imminent danger or about to cause a dangerous situation for others, ride within mere centimeters of tractor-trailers, and seem invariably to be blasting their brains out with I-pods.

I know the world is full of a-holes who show no consideration for the people they share the road with, and I don't expect bicyclists to be any different. What I can't comprehend is their total disregard for their own safety. What I can't forgive is that their self-centered, careless a-holery could very well someday get me a vehicular manslaughter charge and a term in the traffic prison in Chiba.

My hatred for the b*stards knows no bounds.

[Mycernius]

Ah, a typical trucker on bikes. I agree with you on every point, Mike. They main thing that pisses me off about them is they some do not wish to use the safe bike lane next to the road, but instead use the road. Bloody annoying when trying to get a lorry around them during rush hour. "USE THE BL***Y BIKE LANE, YOU KNOB" is something I am regularly shouting at them, but as you said they can't hear you as they have a mp3 played stuck in their ears, and I think technically illegal in the UK to do so.

[Mike Cash]

They want to take the buffet approach to bicycling. They want to be vehicles when it suits them; and pedestrians when it suits them.

[thomas]

Originally Posted by Mike Cash

Which is why the bicycle riders who insist on riding in the street (because they're "vehicles") tick me off so bad.
They conveniently ignore every single other traffic and common sense rule and are a hazard to themselves and everybody around them. When I become Dictator, there will be a bounty paid on their pelts.

We cyclists think the same way of motorists, Mike.

Especially taxi and truck drivers. Three weeks ago I collided with a truck in Ibaraki. The driver decided to turn left without using his blinkers. Asphalt hurts.

Originally Posted by Mycernius

Ah, a typical trucker on bikes. I agree with you on every point, Mike. They main thing that pisses me off about them is they some do not wish to use the safe bike lane next to the road, but instead use the road. Bloody annoying when trying to get a lorry around them during rush hour. "USE THE BL***Y BIKE LANE, YOU KNOB" is something I am regularly shouting at them, but as you said they can't hear you as they have a mp3 played stuck in their ears, and I think technically illegal in the UK to do so.

There are hardly any bike lanes in Tokyo or elsewhere. And even if there are, they are far from being safe! Furthermore, the Road Traffic Law stipulates that cyclists have to ride on roads. Paradoxically, many cops wave me off big streets urging me to use the pavement. I usually ignore them.

Why don't they crack down on bikers using keitai and/or umbrellas while riding? Or motorists using their cell phones while driving? Or speeding trucks?

[Mycernius]

Originally Posted by thomas

Why don't they crack down on bikers using keitai and/or umbrellas while riding? Or motorists using their cell phones while driving? Or speeding trucks?

I must say I have never seen a cyclist using a umbrella in the UK. Using a mobile whilst driving is illegal in the UK and you can get points on your licence if caught, doesn't stop some people, though, usually in BMWs or Volvos I hate BMW drivers

[thomas]

Originally Posted by Mycernius

I must say I have never seen a cyclist using a umbrella in the UK.

Here's one in China. Don't laugh. A common view in Japan too.



Riding the bike with umbrella/keitai is forbidden, offenders can be fined up to 50.000yen. Dead law in Japan.

[Mike Cash]

Originally Posted by thomas

Furthermore, the Road Traffic Law stipulates that cyclists have to ride on roads. Paradoxically, many cops wave me off big streets urging me to use the pavement. I usually ignore them.

Next time that happens, do me a favor and take a look at the road signs over the sidewalk. Tell me if the sign doesn't show a pedestrian and a bicycle, together with a little white sign below it saying 自転車も可.

In those places (and they are numerous), the "cyclists have to ride on roads" excuse just doesn't wash.

This evening, coming back from Tokyo, I encountered two death-wish idiots on bicycles. One was riding in the street on the Omiya Bypass....despite a clear, wide sidewalk marked for bicycle use and close to zero pedestrians to get in his way. One was going across the two lane bridge into Gunma Prefecture in the road. It's a long bridge, narrow, with no breakdown lane. If you're on the bridge, you're in traffic....80% of which at that hour is heavy truck traffic. The bridge has a very wide, very well lighted pedestrian/bicycle section safely divided from motorized traffic by sturdy guardrails....yet nothing will suit the jackass but to ride in the motorway.

Did I mention that both idiots were dressed head to toe in black?

[thomas]

Originally Posted by Mike Cash

Next time that happens, do me a favor and take a look at the road signs over the sidewalk. Tell me if the sign doesn't show a pedestrian and a bicycle, together with a little white sign below it saying 自転車も可. In those places (and they are numerous), the "cyclists have to ride on roads" excuse just doesn't wash.

I know that sign, Mike, and I generally do respect it. I was referring to situations when there was no such sign, yet the cops tried to wave me off.

Road bikes are made for, well, roads. Except for expressways I'm as fast as any motorist in urban traffic. I categorically refuse to ride on pavements. A while ago I have posted a few reasons here. It's easier to mess with your average oyaji taxi driver on the street than with moms who ride the pavement with to up to 3(!) toddlers on their bikes. Not to mention pedestrians...

Originally Posted by Mike Cash

This evening, coming back from Tokyo, I encountered two death-wish idiots on bicycles. One was riding in the street on the Omiya Bypass....despite a clear, wide sidewalk marked for bicycle use and close to zero pedestrians to get in his way. One was going across the two lane bridge into Gunma Prefecture in the road. It's a long bridge, narrow, with no breakdown lane. If you're on the bridge, you're in traffic....80% of which at that hour is heavy truck traffic. The bridge has a very wide, very well lighted pedestrian/bicycle section safely divided from motorized traffic by sturdy guardrails....yet nothing will suit the jackass but to ride in the motorway. Did I mention that both idiots were dressed head to toe in black?

Welp, I guess there are black sheep even among cyclists.

[Tyshepp]

I still like to have a Chu hi and ride my bike to Zushi Beach.

[gaijinalways]

I don't drive here at the moment, so my view is more a pedestrian one where the bikers ride on the sidewalk when it is posted not to, and also park there as well!

[Tyshepp]

Bikers own the roads and the sidewalks! Just think what the traffic would be like if everyone that rides bikes drove a car instead. Holy moly you'd never get anywhere or be able to ever find a parking spot. You should give bicycle riders a big thank you!