Using a bicycle as a daily transportation device is quite popular in Japan. Bicycles have gained even more attention in the last few years, not only because riding a bike is eco-friendly, but also because it's good for your health. In addition to that, people have realized bicycles can be quite handy when public transportation is not running, such as in disasters like the Great Tohoku Earthquake of March 2011.

However, especially in big cities where streets are narrow and traffic is heavy, it's not always easy to ride a bicycle. One of the main issues is whether bicycles should be ridden on sidewalks or roadways. Legally, bicycles are considered "vehicles," and so they're required to be ridden on roadways, aside from a few exceptions. Also, drunk riding, riding double, riding while holding an umbrella or using a cellphone are all restricted by law.

In September 2011, a well-known comedian was caught riding a track bicycle without brakes ? a bike which is prohibited from being ridden on public streets. After the incident was reported, the media began to cover stories about the bad manners of bike riders and how dangerous bicycles can be on public streets. Also, the police decided to enforce the law more strictly and require people to ride bicycles on roadways, not on sidewalks.

Some people may think that laws against bike riding are quite strict in Japan, but it probably reflects the situation where injuries and fatal accidents caused by bicycles are often reported. However, the problem won't be solved simply by keeping bicycles on roadways. Roadways in cities are usually full of cars and often blocked by parked cars, so riding bicycles on roadways could cause riders to get involved in even more accidents. It is time for society to consider ways to improve the traffic environment for bicycles, such as having bike-only lanes, so that people can walk, ride and drive safely.