Two-wheeler usage in Japan
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Two-wheeler A two-wheeler is a vehicle that runs on two wheels. The two wheels may be arranged in tandem, one behind the other, as with single-track vehicles, or arranged and also side by side, on the same axle. If on the same axle, the vehicle may be have ...
s are a common sight and widely used in Japan. Of these, bicycles and
scooters Scooter may refer to: Vehicles Ground Human or gravity powered * Eccentric-hub scooter, propelled by a standing rider making a bouncing motion * Kick scooter, propelled by a standing rider pushing off the ground * Knee scooter, a mobility device ...
are the most common.


Bicycles

There are over 80 million bicycles in Japan. Some 17 percent of trips from home to work and school are made by bicycle. In most residential neighbourhoods, historically narrow streets create a natural traffic calming effect that encourages cycling. Motorists on these streets must often drive carefully due to a lack of sidewalks (allowing pedestrians to walk freely in the street), obstructions such as utility poles and blind corners at many intersections. Relatively low speed limits of and motorist collision liability are additional factors that encourage more careful driving on residential streets. Cycling is one of Japan's major modes of transport for trips of up to , and makes up a significant proportion of trips within . However, due to the high availability of other transport modes, longer distance cycling is less common in Japan than in the United States. Cycling speeds are generally slow and recreational. People generally do not wear gear or helmets as cycling serves primarily as a last mile (transportation) solution. and/or economical or hour independent alternative to extensive railway-feeder bus or municipal bus service. Bicycles have long been a major staple of Japanese transport (as well as walking), and train stations often accommodate them. A major popularization boom in cycling occurred following the 1970s oil crises and has not abated since. Bicycle sheds dominate bicycle storage mechanisms in Japan, most often found at train stations, however they are giving way to other solutions such as bicycle sharing systems and
bicycle tree A bicycle tree or ''cycle tree'' or ''bike tree'' is a bicycle parking system that resembles a tree in shape. There are a few types that have been developed. Some are manual, some use mechanical means to move the bike, assisting the bike by rai ...
s. In spite of bicycle sheds, there long has existed the problem of insufficient bicycle parking, and bicycles can be found parked haphazardly at the more urban train stations, inviting fines and mishaps, though this trend is also in decline. Unlike in North America, bicycles are not allowed on buses nor do buses have
bicycle carrier A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike or cycle, is a human-powered or motor-powered assisted, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A is called a cyclist, or bicyclist. Bic ...
s. Vandalism to locked bicycles for parts is quite uncommon, as there is virtually no
black market A black market, underground economy, or shadow economy is a clandestine market or series of transactions that has some aspect of illegality or is characterized by noncompliance with an institutional set of rules. If the rule defines the se ...
in bicycle parts due to strong policing and general public disregard for stolen items.


Infrastructure

In Japan,
cycling infrastructure Cycling infrastructure is all infrastructure cyclists are allowed to use. Bikeways include bike paths, bike lanes, cycle tracks, rail trails and, where permitted, sidewalks. Roads used by motorists are also cycling infrastructure, except whe ...
is generally shared with other infrastructure (94%) and generally not marked. There is almost no extensive system of separate cycling facilities with well-maintained discriminated paths, lanes and special bicycle streets. Exclusive bicycle roadway accounts for only or 2% of all roadway. While Japan's initially required cyclists to ride on the left hand side of the
street A street is a public thoroughfare in a built environment. It is a public parcel of land adjoining buildings in an urban context, on which people may freely assemble, interact, and move about. A street can be as simple as a level patch of dirt, ...
(along with other motorized traffic), this led to a dramatic rise in cycling accidents. As a result, rules were loosened to allow cycling on designated
sidewalk A sidewalk (North American English), pavement (British English), footpath in Australia, India, New Zealand and Ireland, or footway, is a path along the side of a street, street, highway, terminals. Usually constructed of concrete, pavers, brick ...
s by the Road Structure Ordinance of 1970, which also introduced the provision of bicycle roads in high traffic areas. Since that time, bicycles have become a common sight on many Japanese sidewalks, while segregated cycling infrastructure still remains relatively rare throughout the country. Sidewalks where cycling is permitted often contain obstacles such as illegally parked bicycles, utility poles, trees, road signs and street furniture in addition to pedestrians. They are often narrow with uneven, poorly maintained pavement. As a result, cyclists and pedestrians often come into conflict with one another. As an example of this ongoing conflict, from the year 2002 to 2012 the number of bicycle-pedestrian accidents in Japan increased by 30%, while the total number of traffic accidents decreased by a similar margin.


Bicycle parking

Bicycles sheds are a common site at train stations, and can hold hundreds or even thousands of bicycles. Despite this, there are problems with this system: theft or ''borrowing with the intent to return'' is common, abandoned bicycles clog the system with nobody knowing who they belong to, and after hours retrieval can be frustrating.


Automated bicycle trees

Bicycle tree A bicycle tree or ''cycle tree'' or ''bike tree'' is a bicycle parking system that resembles a tree in shape. There are a few types that have been developed. Some are manual, some use mechanical means to move the bike, assisting the bike by rai ...
s are becoming a modern technological solution to a long-standing bicycle storage and security issues. The most fancy capable of storing thousands of bicycles cleanly, securely, and out of sight (underground or above-ground in a building) and fitted with an
automated storage and retrieval system An automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS or AS/RS) consists of a variety of computer-controlled systems for automatically placing and retrieving loads from defined storage locations. Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) are ty ...
at train stations.
IC card A smart card, chip card, or integrated circuit card (ICC or IC card) is a physical electronic authentication device, used to control access to a resource. It is typically a plastic credit card-sized card with an embedded integrated circuit (IC) c ...
s are utilized in the system. Some 85 of these systems are installed throughout the country.


Bike sharing

Bicycle sharing systems are a more modern concept in Japan, and largest such system is in Edogawa ward of Tokyo. Since ownership of bicycles is still high, bike sharing would have less appeal in Japan than other nations.


Scooters

Gasoline powered scooters were once quite popular for college students, working age people of both sexes and seniors. Use declined dramatically from June 1, 2006 when new road safety law put parking enforcement into the hands of private traffic wardens, with the intent of freeing up police to pursue violations greater than parking. Prior to introduction of the new law, automobile tires were chalked by police, who could issue a violation after the vehicle had been illegally parked for 15 minutes or greater. Female officers traveling in specially designed vehicles would rotate through congested areas, reaching out of their window with chalk on long sticks to mark tires. The logistics involved meant scooters were all but ignored and could park freely on sidewalks and roadways. However, under the new guidelines, tickets could be issued immediately by a new privatized patrol force. As a consequence of near zero enforcement prior to June 1, 2006, paid hourly parking for scooters was nearly non-existent. The parking fine for a scooter is 9,000 yen per instance. The registered owner of the scooter is responsible for payment and a request for payment will be sent to the registered address if prior payment with the issued ticket is not made. If payment is made with the ticket, which would require the person making payment to sign the ticket admitting they had parked illegally, a two-point reduction is made on their license. If, within one year, 6 points are lost, a driver's license is suspended for 30 days. If 15 points are deducted a driver's license is revoked for 1 year, after which an individual may apply for a new license from scratch; time-consuming and not always obtainable. A special moped license category exists, primarily for those who are 16 but not yet 21. At 18, an automobile license can be obtained, which also allows the holder to operate a scooter. However, points even when received for scooter parking violations are applied against whichever license the driver holds. So effectively, for 3 parking scooter violations in a one-year period, the license will be suspended. This would preclude not only driving the scooter, but the suspension would apply to all driving, automobile or otherwise. It is also widely recognized the police target small engine scooters for traffic violations. Up to 50cc's, scooters are not allowed to turn right, unless under very specific situations (e.g. traveling on a one-way) or exceed . Since 2006, efforts have been made to increase available hourly parking for scooters. While a major shortfall of hourly parking continues, an incentive program to land owners of 200,000 yen for each bike (motor or scooter) space saw the rise of many new parking spots for motorized bikes within major cities. This, coupled with a non-statutory relaxation of private traffic warden enforcement, forcing them to focus on automobiles and to not issue tickets to scooters in all but the most severely congested and designated areas have made the ability to find a place to stop once reaching a destination by scooter once again feasible. Scooters continue to fill a key niche as commercial vehicles for delivery services, often of food or other smaller items. Scooters, especially during rush hours, are generally speedier than automobiles for household delivery (often roads can be narrow and steep grades are not uncommon in mountainous Japan). Unlike China, electric scooters are not so common.


Motorcycles

Japan has a cult of larger engine motorcycle enthusiasts, but as far as transportation is concerned, its more of a recreational vehicle than a utilitarian vehicle.


References


External links


Tokyo by Bike
- Website focusing on everyday cycling in Japan
Japan Cycling Embassy
- Japanese
cycling advocacy Cycling advocacy consists of activities that call for, promote or enable increased adoption and support for cycling and improved safety and convenience for cyclists, usually within urbanized areas or semi-urban regions. Issues of concern typically ...
group
Do you know Japan's Traffic Rules? - Aichi Prefecture
- Brief overview of cyclist and pedestrian traffic rules in Japan
Cycling Rules in Japan - JapanTravel
- Summary of cycling rules and general practice in Japan

- Cycle tourism promotion initiative of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Cycle Around Japan
- Cycle touring travelogue program on NHK World {{Cycling in different countries and cities Transport in Japan Cycling in Japan