Sure, cyclists on the road in Japan generally put themselves in danger. But I couldn't care less about that, that's their problem, not mine. Coldly and rationally speaking, moving the danger from both pedestrian and cyclist to just the cyclist is actually a step in the right direction.

Turning left into an intersection, many sidewalks have trees, brush or a retaining wall that keeps driver's blind to what is coming on the sidewalk. Usually, after committing to the turn, pedestrians are walking slow enough that we can see them and stop for them. Cyclist, on the other hand, are moving quite fast and "suddenly" appear into the intersection (into the crosswalk) and I don't have enough time to react.

I have only been driving daily since May of this year and already I've had a close call half a dozen times. Each time, it's the cyclist that almost plows into the side of the car because I didn't see them or didn't expect them to be moving at such a rate of speed.

I have been told, regardless of who hits who, if it is a car verses bicycle, then the car will always be liable.

Yep. You have to be very careful turning. You learn that pretty quick driving in Japan.

It's not rational at all if you consider the accident statistics - it ignores the need for the bicycle. It's a necessary form of transportation, not only something people are using for enjoyment, especially in Japan, which this thread is about.

Why do you think it is the case that in many parts of the world, children are allowed to ride on the sidewalk? It's for their safety. Yes, there are some people who need to slow down, but people are still people, whether they are under 12, or over it. The distinction is unnecessary. A 12 year old kid cycling as fast as they can still produces the same dangerous results.

If you actually want to improve the situation, the situation is to increase public transportation coverage and reduce the need to use a bicycle. Where I used to live in the boonies, it was the fastest way to get around -- and the main route was a local highway with sidewalks on each side. Riding on the "street" would have been idiotic.

As of December 20, 2013 - Japan National Road Traffic Law revisions came to effect. All bicycles MUST ride on the left side of the road or risk fine of 20,000 yen or 30 days in jail.

Around the globe, including USA and Canada, they have a "Statutory right to the road" - this ensures that bicycles and cars are to share the road.

Japan also is under a "right to the road by treaty".

If EVERYBODY follows the rules of the road, it is a safe place for all.

Thanks for ignoring the statistics. I'm pretty sure this is the same reason why this law is not being enforced at all. Pragmatism has prevailed. This idealism of "everybody" following some rule is never going to happen. People are individuals and make their own choices e.g. such as drivers who speed or run red lights, or people who choose to ride on the sidewalk knowing that they needn't worry about that.

“Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are pliable.”
― Mark Twain :p

So how were we going to improve Japan ? ;)

More beer choices at the conbini! Better beer results in less concern about bicycles.

Oh, and more Starbucks, at least in my corner of Kansai.

Well now that Starbucks USA has bought back Starbucks Japan you might just see that :p .....

Two hour limit on parking meters.

Customer Service: More flexibility when going off the book, or when policy is clearly not right (think of the customer) but the rules say otherwise.

This is by far I think my biggest complaint. You get nowhere trying to talk to someone -- there's absolutely no room for compromise. I guess people are used to しょうがない moments but it irritates me to no end.

I get really frustrated with this as well. Especially when you try to ask why they can't do something.

But every once in a while, I think about it objectively and remember it's better to get great service with inflexible rules than to have no rules and get totally lousy service (like in the U.S.).

Or, to put it another way, everyone gets phenomenal service most of the time but can also get screwed over by bad rules, as opposed to getting good service only if you're in the know or if there's favoritism (e.g. elite status holders, repeat customers)

English translation for the AC remote controls in some hotels. (This may just be a Toyoko Inn thing.)