Putting It Off
I had been putting off writing this post, and truthfully I still feel a bit beside myself while doing so now. For it is my intention that this blog be a positive and informative perspective of a British person living in Japan. Quite frankly, this is not a positive post, but it is (I hope) informative.
The Law
Regarding bicycles in Japan, it is the law that all bicycles should be ridden on the road. In most areas in Tokyo there are clearly marked cycle lanes for this precise purpose.
The Reality
In reality the vast majority of bicycles are ridden on the pavement/sidewalk, often at speed without so much as a ring on the bell to warn of approach, or a thank you for having to at times literally jump out of the way to avoid being smashed into.
“Japanese people are always considerate of others and always follow the rules” is somewhat of urban myth, and when it comes to riding bicycles a downright complete and utter lie.
The Story
My wife and I one evening after the sun had long gone down, returned home from an evening meal, as many do in Tokyo, by bus. We stepped off the bus at our stop and proceeded to walk down the pavement. This particular pavement, as is often the case in Tokyo is narrow and has railings down the road-side. The road in question, HAS bicycle lanes the entire length.
Only moments after stepping off the bus I had to (just in the nick of time) physically pull my wife and us both over and practically into a wall, to avoid a woman speeding down the pavement on her bike, with no lights or helmet, not looking where she was going, head rotated a full 90 degrees to the left too busy looking at the people on the bus to even notice the back of the two pedestrians (my wife and I) in front she was rapidly approaching. All three of us locked into this predicament by the wall to our right and the rails (which she should have been on the other side of) to our left.
It’s only because I for no particular reason decided to have a quick look around my surroundings, did we even know she was approaching.
No lights, no attempt to brake, no bell to ring, not even as much as a “sumimasen” or a thank you as she hurtled passed us.
Startled, and a little shaken we brushed ourselves off and continued our walk home, discussing the seemingly tolerant attitude towards such dangerous, blatant and frequent road safety law infringements.
Tolerance?
As mentioned above, the vast majority of cyclists are on the pavement, when by law they should be on the road. Tokyo has a lot of police officers, many of them riding about on bicycles themselves. They simply ride past every single one, tolerant and uninterested.
However, as a foreigner in Japan, I have read many times in different publications that it is most advised for ME to ride on the road, as foreigners often DO get stopped by the police when riding on the pavement. So one rule for some and another for others, it seems.
My Advice
My advice to you if you visit busy places like Tokyo during your trip to or life in Japan, is be observant of those around you. Tokyo is busy and people behave differently perhaps here than in other places in this wonderful country.
For the most part people are considerate, but also at times complacent. Certain things have been normalised such as riding on the pavement, walking into each-other, suddenly stopping (instead of stepping to the side) in the middle of a busy pedestrian area to check phone.. It’s just how things are in Tokyo.
They say when in Rome, do as the Romans do.. Which is for the most part sound advice. However, when in Tokyo be mindful of what you do. Do not become complacent and expose yourself to the us vs them rules. Set a good example as a visitor and most importantly keep your eyes peeled for speeding cyclists!
Be safe!
