Japan Today

Voices
in
Japan

quote of the day

Cyclists can pose risks both to others and themselves. We expect people to ride bicycles in a way in which they can fully hear the sounds around them.

21 Comments

A spokesperson for the National Police Agency which is cracking down on earphone-wearing cyclists, even though cyclists with external-sound-capturing earphones say they can hear outside sounds.

© Asahi Shimbun

©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.

21 Comments
Login to comment

A spokesperson for the National Police Agency which is cracking down on earphone-wearing cyclists

Funny. I needed a good joke in the morning. Now tell me when a cop will actually start fining cyclists who break the rules.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

Wear a single earphone/earpod. Same when walking.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Just yesterday, I had a business man willfully walk right into me (not realizing I'm heavier than I look...LOL).

Cyclists are only part of the problem. Pedestrians stagger along the footpaths glued to their phones; Kamikaze Mothers on their chariots fly out of blind corners at full speed. Taxis are a constant threat.

EVERYONE needs to take a dose of caution, and common sense....hassling people with earphones won't help in the slightest.

16 ( +17 / -1 )

Everyone who use the street need to keep in their mind, they are not using street by themselves. Especially in Japan when pedestrian or cyclist hit vehicle , law in Japan will reside with them. Even motor vehicle has do everything correctly

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Some car drivers play music so loud they can't possibly hear the surrounding sounds.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Many folk like to cycle and listen to Tom Jones. It's not unusual.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Some car drivers play music so loud they can't possibly hear the surrounding sounds.

Wallace no doubt.

Both, zombies on two and four wheels are a menace.

To be distracted in such a manner that represents a danger to citizens is selfish recklessness.

So it is how and what to do about it?

Roadside beatings are of course out he question......almost

Warnings, then on the spot fines?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

No one should be wearing head or earphones on a bicycle. Especially the elderly.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

I almost never see enforcement of any traffic laws in Tokyo. It is very hazardous being a pedestrian nowadays. I was just walking down a one way road with no sidewalk to the station and delivery trucks as usual were illegally parked blocking any pedestrian shoulder so I had to walk around the truck in the street and an old guy in a car came down and had no intention to slow down or move over as I passed around the truck in the street. I can only imagine it is much worse for elderly and children.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Wear a single earphone/earpod. Same when walking.

Gospel music?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I was just walking down a one way road with no sidewalk to the station and delivery trucks as usual were illegally parked blocking any pedestrian shoulder so I had to walk around the truck in the street and an old guy in a car came down and had no intention to slow down or move over as I passed around the truck in the street.

Nobody cares

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

Well. That statement is good in theory, but come to my neighborhood. I see people wearing ear buds while riding without much concern for their surrounding safety. Worse yet, young people are riding two people to a bike for single riders. They don't come to a complete stop at stop signs.

I will give them credit for riding slower at night with headlights.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Last April helmet law was introduced but no fine if not wearing one.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It is against the law to ride a bicycle on the pavement (US sidewalk). It is against the law to ride without a helmet. It is apparently also against the law and evidently to stupid to ride with earphones.

It is news when the police decide to enforce any of these laws.

The solution is simple. Require a licence for riding bicycles. There doesn't need to be a test. However, every cyclist would be required to carry it just as a driver is. A cyclist who commits an offence could then lose his licence and the right to ride a bicycle. That should get a few morons off the road.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Not enough police officers to deal with all the bicycle offenses.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It’s great that folks wanna use a bike to commute but when there’s a not so perfect sidewalk but they still insist on using these small roads, they’re putting there life in other peoples hands and foolish.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites