Welcome to #BikeNite on Friday, March 20th!
Thanks for joining our cycle-chat. Answer whenever at your convenience. Anyone can join, now or later. Reply to what you like, and boost for visibility.
Our intro and Q from @bikemonterey
Q1. Where are you posting from today? Do you ride with fluorescent leg coverings or ankle lights, reflectors or similar? What is your experience with them, and do you have any recommendations?
@ascentale @bikemonterey @bikenite A1: Nagoya, Japan. My bikes have a front and rear light, but I've ridden in black or dark blue garb at night without worrying much. That has to do with the environment though: on our streets I'm able to ride where they ain't, if I take it slow.
From April, a new rule in Japan will require bikes to stay off sidewalks and mix in traffic. I haven't looked it up, but I figure the police won't be too eager to force riders to endanger themselves.
#bikeNite
@ascentale @bikemonterey @bikenite Following up on the change to Japan traffic regs coming up next month, it seems that the constraints remain the same: riding on sidewalks when necessary for personal safety is permitted, but in that case pedestrians always have right of way. The principle change is in ticketing requirements. Most violations will just be punishable by a simplified administrative procedure that doesn't require a hearing. So no change to my riding habits.
Phil (ascentale)
Frank Bennett 🇯🇵