JUL. 2013

No.79

LIVING GUIDE MORIOKA
MORIOKA INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ASSOCIATION
12-2 UCHIMARU, MORIOKA, IWATE 020-8530

e-mail moriintl@nifty.com

TEL 019-626-7524

http://www.e-morioka.com/~moriintl/top.html

Enjoy an eco-friendly life, following the rules of bicycle riding!
One of the familiar vehicles in our lives is a bicycle. Let's check the rules again toride a bicycle safely and avoid causing an accident.

■□■ Five rules for bicycle safety
The five rules listed below are especially important ones you must obey when riding
a bicycle.Failure to follow them can result in penalties.

① In principle, ride on the roadway, not the ④ Ride safely.
・Do not ride under the influence of alcohol.: If yousidewalk.

Legally, bicycles are classified as "light vehicles", a kind drink alcohol, you can’t drive not only cars but alsoof automobile. Therefore, if the road has a sidewalk, you bicycles.
・Use a headlight when it becomes dark. : Whenmust principally ride a bicycle on the roadway.

driving a vehicle including a bicycle, you have to drive itwith its lights (head light, rear light etc.) on.

② Ride on the left side of the road.

When riding a bicycle, you must ride on the left side of ・Do not ride double. : It is prohibited to ride with morethan one person on a bicycle. It’s easy to lose balance

the road.

and very dangerous. However, the case where an adult③ On the sidewalk, yield to pedestrians and rides with a little child in a special seat is admitted.
ride slowly on the closer side to the road.

・Do not ride in parallel. : Riding a bicycle in parallelIf there is a sign as shown in the figure 1 below, or if you with other cyclists is prohibited. It could get in the way
are an elderly person or a child, you can ride a bicycle on of other cars or cause a traffic accident. Ride in a line on
the sidewalk. On the sidewalk, you must ride at a speed the left side of the road. However, up totwo cyclists can ride side by side where
you can stop immediately on theThose who are susceptible to heat-related illnesses

closer side to the road. You must

there is a sign as shown in the figure 2

stop when you may interfere withon the right.

pedestrians.

figure 1

figure 2

・Obey traffi c lights. Stop and look both ways atintersections. : Always obey traffic lights. It is a basic⑤ Children must wear helmets.

rule of the road. Also, stop and make sure it’s safe if

Parents (guardians) should have their children wear helmets.

there is a stop sign.

Failure to follow the rules can result in penalties as listed below!
There are various rules other than the five rules which we have just seen. The table below shows the violation
penalties. There also exists other rules, so please check when you have time.

◆ Prohibited acts prescribed in the Iwate Prefectural Detailed Regulations for Enforcement of theRoad Traffic Act
Prohibited Acts
Riding double
Using your cell phone while riding
Riding with your umbrella open
Listening to music with headphones while riding

Penalties
Fines of up to 20,000
yen or lighter
punishment◆ Violating acts prescribed in the Road Traffic Act
Violating Acts

Penalties

Riding on the sidewalk or side strip permitted tobicycles at a speed or in a way you may interfere withpedestrians
Not riding slowly on closer side to the road when

Fines of up to 20,000 yen or

riding on the sidewalk or side strip permitted tolighter punishment

bicyclesRiding in parallel where there is no sign saying up to
two cyclists can ride side by side
Riding at night without a bicycle headlightFines of up to 50,000 yen

Riding on the sidewalk where you are not allowed to
Not riding on the left side of the road

Jail time of up to 3 months or

Not obeying traffic lights

fines of up to 50,000 yen

Not stopping at intersections or railroad crossingsCausing a traffic accident or escaping after causing an

Jail time of up to 1 year or fines

accidentof up to 100,000 yen

Drunken driving

Jail time of up to 5 years orfines of up to 1,000,000 yen

Let's ride a bicycle with consideration for others.
In recent years, there have been a lot of bicycle accidents resulting in a pedestrian’s
injury or even death. Bicycles, as well as cars, can be a deadly weapon. Having
consideration for pedestrians and other cyclists, let’s enjoy an eco-friendly life
without an accident. Riding a bicycle with consideration for others also means toprotect you yourself as well.