Michael Gira wrote:

> What are the road rules regarding bicycles in Japan?
>
> I'm used to riding on the road and following all the road
> rules regarding stopping, signalling, giving way, etc.
> Back home (Australia), the road rules treat cyclists
> exactly the same as any other road user, and cyclists are
> forbidden from using the footpath.
>
> So far I've had no problems doing this here, or at least no
> more than I would have had back home - these usually take
> the form of people who see red at the very idea of a bike
> taking its place in the traffic.
>
> But what is the exact legal situation?

According to my 2003 edition of RULES OF THE ROAD (English)
"Supervised by THE TRAFFIC BUREAU OF THE NATIONAL POLICE
AGENCY", published by JAPAN AUTOMOBILE FEDERATION, it would
appear that under most circumstances, bicycles must also
operate according to motor vehicle rules, the exceptions
being:

[start]

2. Precautions to take on your bicycle

2-1. Where to ride

1) Bicycles traveling on the road must move along the left
side, except when it's impossible because of construction or
related works.
2) Bicycles may travel inside the pedestrian strip, except
when it would seriously obstruct pedestrian traffic.
Pedestrian strips marked with double white lines [ref to
figure] are closed to bicycles.
3) Ordinary bicycles may travel on the sidewalk which is open
to bicycle and pedestrian traffic [ref to figure of blue
circular sign with pedestrian and bicycle silhouettes].

[end]

There are pages more on what constitutes an "ordinary bicycle"
and how to ride according to their rules. Pedestrians have
right of way on sidewalks.

Go ahead and use the sidewalk if you have to, unless it's too
crowded, or some police tell you otherwise. I prefer the
sidewalk, because drivers aren't careful when passing, and
particularly in turns. You see how many intersections have
those specially marked "bicycle crossings" distinct from
pedestrian crossings (there is also supposed to be some sort
of marker before reaching the intersection, but I've never
seen one in actual practice)? That's one example of where
bicycles are not supposed to be traveling like cars and simply
go through, but pull onto the sidewalk and "cross" the street
because they "must proceed along the zone".

Also, bicycles are supposed to make "two step" turns at
intersections crossing the street then waiting and crossing
the street again to the right, instead of merely turning right
in the rightmost lane like cars.

Bicyclists are also supposed to use hand signals to show their
intention to stop or turn. They are not supposed to thread
their way through traffic to move up the line when cars are
stopped or moving slowly, either.

Bicycles may also cross streets or turn where there is no
indicated crossing zone or crosswalk.

Bicycles should also be walked across railroad crossings.

Those drivers are just ticked off at what they perceive to be
a hindrance to them, the same as when they are stuck behind a
scooter, which has its own speed limit, or drivers who drive
at or under the posted speed limits.

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