Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Cycling on Sado
A Trip to Sado: The Taraibune, or Tub Boat
The taraibune is used to fish for crustaceans and seaweed in shallow water. The rectangular section in the boat's center has a transparent bottom, allowing the fisherman (or woman) to survey the bottom with ease. The photos were taken in Ogi, Sado.
Tour de France 2012 Coverage
I've been watching the Tour here - there's a Japanese rider in the race, so there is, however tenuous, a Japan connection to the riders (not so slight, though, when you consider all the Shimano on the bikes or the Nissan sponsorship of Team Radio Shack) if you're looking for one. But no such connection is really needed, is there, on a site devoted to cycling.
You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat It Too
It's not all about rights, of course- cyclists themselves have to obey the rules of the road, as well as those of the pavement.
Speaking of the latter, where the width is less than 3 meters, only riders 13 and under, 70 and older, and parents transporting children are permitted to use the sidewalk. In principle, cyclists are allowed to use the footpath only in designated sections.
In general I think it's best to avoid the pavement, as it's often congested; pedestrians and cyclists often walk or ride 2 or more abreast, change direction suddenly and without looking over their shoulder- enough said, as I could go on and on.
So make sure you've got a working headlight (rear light as well, to be safe), install brakes front and rear (if you ride a piste), observe the law- doing so will make urban cycling safer and cycling advocacy easier.
Speaking of the latter, where the width is less than 3 meters, only riders 13 and under, 70 and older, and parents transporting children are permitted to use the sidewalk. In principle, cyclists are allowed to use the footpath only in designated sections.
In general I think it's best to avoid the pavement, as it's often congested; pedestrians and cyclists often walk or ride 2 or more abreast, change direction suddenly and without looking over their shoulder- enough said, as I could go on and on.
So make sure you've got a working headlight (rear light as well, to be safe), install brakes front and rear (if you ride a piste), observe the law- doing so will make urban cycling safer and cycling advocacy easier.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Know Your Rights
Japan's Road Traffic Law defines the bicycle as a light vehicle. Therefore, cyclists are entitled to use the roadway; motorists are obliged to share the road with cyclists. It's that simple.
The next time some pinhead behind the wheel of a car tries to force you off the road in the mistaken belief you've no right to be there, mention the law. Better yet, go to the link, print the page, and hand the jerk a copy. Morever, feel free to reinforce your point with some colorful language or unmistakable gestures. Motorists who aren't confronted over this end up putting cyclists in hospital.
The next time some pinhead behind the wheel of a car tries to force you off the road in the mistaken belief you've no right to be there, mention the law. Better yet, go to the link, print the page, and hand the jerk a copy. Morever, feel free to reinforce your point with some colorful language or unmistakable gestures. Motorists who aren't confronted over this end up putting cyclists in hospital.
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For a live rendition by The Clash of their classic, see here: http://www.youtube.com/embed/MC_OM_rrTGo
Prologue
This blog aims to serve the needs of cyclists in Japan. Put simply, the purpose of Japan by Bike is to consider the pleasures and perils of cycling in Japan.
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