Post B5UJX5wldxibHCDXjU by hallvors@oslo.town
 (DIR) More posts by hallvors@oslo.town
 (DIR) Post #B5UJX50d87DKMt177A by ascentale@sfba.social
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       @meganL asks:As horrible as the reasons for the rise in oil prices are, gas being more expensive might help those with the privilege of choice decide to try cycling to school, work and/or errands instead of driving now. Q5. How many of you have noticed any uptick in the amount of people cycling around you (more than just the change from winter to spring in the Northern Hemisphere)?#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite
       
 (DIR) Post #B5UJX5Ltr2EBQqy6Ge by fgbjr@indieweb.social
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       @ascentale @meganL @bikenite A5: Bikes are really common here in Japan already, but yesterday running errands on a Surly Big Dummy long-tail, I received incidental comments in passing from three people, which seemed like a lot. Probably just coincidence, but I did wonder whether plant stoppages and the uptick in gas prices might be stimulating general curiousity about cycling options. One guy suggested rain would be a problem. I replied, "I get wet. No problem!" And we laughed.#bikeNite
       
 (DIR) Post #B5UJX5egjBFyN7l6YK by oheso@ieji.de
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       @fgbjr @ascentale @meganL @bikenite A5. Given the high ridership already, it would take a big increase to be noticeable.We had a big cycle related change in Japan in April though with a regulatory change. And there was a massive police presence in Tokyo last weekend to enforce it. #BikeNite
       
 (DIR) Post #B5UJX5wldxibHCDXjU by hallvors@oslo.town
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       @oheso interesting, what changed? #bikenite @fgbjr @ascentale @meganL @bikenite
       
 (DIR) Post #B5UJX6AaoYmFy4gaHY by fgbjr@indieweb.social
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       @hallvors @oheso @ascentale @meganL @bikenite They've made it easier for the police to issue tickets, by lowering the category of offense on a number of violations (so that no court appearance is involved), and (I think) adding fines for some others. The targets are things like texting while riding, riding drunk, riding against traffic, endangering pedestrians, riding one-handed with an umbrella.
       
 (DIR) Post #B5UJX6Ni1nGkckp3j6 by oheso@ieji.de
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       @fgbjr @hallvors @ascentale @meganL @bikenite A friend in Kyoto is reporting that bell ringing can now result in a fine. I've sent him back to check his sources, since as far as I know, bells are required on bicycles in Japan.
       
 (DIR) Post #B5UJX6XdQtD17XSzCK by oheso@ieji.de
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       @fgbjr @hallvors @ascentale @meganL @bikenite He got back to me very quickly!Under Japanese traffic law (unchanged, but now more enforced):👉 You must have a bell on your bicycle (as part of required equipment).👉 But you are NOT supposed to use it freely.Specifically:The bell is intended for danger warning onlyYou should use it only when necessary to avoid danger🚫 What that means in practiceRinging your bell to say:“Excuse me, move aside”or to clear pedestrians on a shared path👉 can be treated as improper useWhy?In Japan, pedestrians always have priority, especially on sidewalksCyclists are expected to:slow downor stoprather than “claim space” with a bell.So, as with so many rules in Japan ... it's up to the omawarisan on the spot (or judge in the courtroom) after the fact when a more serious offense (e.g., collision between pedestrian and cyclist) has occurred.