Wakayama Foreign Residents Support Mail【Vol.60】

Do you know the traffic rules for bicycles?
A bicycle is classified as a type of vehicle (light vehicle) under the Road Traffic Law.
When riding a bicycle, please follow the traffic rules just as you do when driving a car.
There are various traffic rules for bicycles, but the following five are particularly important.
- In principle, ride on a roadway on its left side. Even when allowed on a sidewalk as an exceptional case, pedestrians have priority.
Where there is a distinction between a roadway and a sidewalk, in principle, you should ride on a roadway.
In addition, you must ride on its left side.
When allowed to ride on a sidewalk, you must ride slow on the section closer to a roadway, and must stop once if you are blocking pedestrians.
- Observe traffic signals and stop signs to ensure your safety at intersections
At intersections with traffic lights, cross the street after the light turns green.
At intersections where there are stop signs, be sure to stop and cross the street after confirming your safety.
- Use bicycle lights at night
You must turn on your bicycle light at night.
Be sure to check whether the light works before riding a bicycle.
- Prohibited from riding under the influence of alcohol
Never ride a bicycle after drinking alcohol.
- Wear a bicycle helmet
Wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. Many people who die in bicycle accidents suffer fatal head injuries, and it is therefore very important to protect your head to reduce the damages caused by traffic accidents and to protect your own life.
Wearing of helmets has been required by law since April 2023.

Even if you follow the rules, you should purchase bicycle liability insurance in case of an accident.
Traffic accidents caused by bicycles may also result in significant liability for damages to the cyclist, so you should make sure that all your family members who ride bicycles are covered by liability insurance for damages etc. Wakayama Prefectural Ordinance requires the cyclists to purchase liability insurance as of April 2019.

■　Safety Rules Information for Foreigners (Website of Sendai City)
https://www.city.sendai.jp/jitensha/documents/japanese.pdf (やさしいJapanese)
https://www.city.sendai.jp/jitensha/documents/english.pdf (English)
https://www.city.sendai.jp/jitensha/documents/chinese.pdf (Chinese)
https://www.city.sendai.jp/jitensha/documents/vietnamese.pdf (Vietnamese)

■　Rules for Riding a Bicycle (Website of Isesaki City)
https://www.city.isesaki.lg.jp/soshiki/siminbu/kokusai/kokusai/koutu/12398.html


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《Wakayama Foreign Residents Support Mail》