Tokyo, Oct. 28 (Jiji Press)–More than 90 pct of bicycle users said they had felt unsafe while riding on roads shared with automobiles, a survey by a Tokyo-based bicycle parking lot operator has found six months after Japan introduced the “blue ticket” system for minor traffic violations by cyclists. The use of roadways by cyclists has increased since the system was introduced, while many respondents called for improvements to road infrastructure to ensure their safety, according to the survey conducted by NCD Co. from Sept. 2 to 23. The survey was conducted online among users of monthly bicycle parking facilities operated by the company in Tokyo and neighboring prefectures of Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa. A total of 149 people responded. In the survey, a total of 70.5 pct said they rode on the roadway or tended to ride on the roadway on roads with separate roadways and sidewalks. The figure was 30.2 pct when respondents recalled their behavior before the system was introduced in April. Asked how often they had felt unsafe while riding on roadways, 39.6 pct of respondents said they had often felt unsafe. Including those who said they had sometimes felt unsafe, the proportion was 91.9 pct over the six months since the system was introduced. More than 80 pct said they had found it difficult to follow traffic rules. When asked to give reasons, with multiple answers allowed, 73.2 pct cited narrow roadways, followed by heavy traffic on roadways, given by 69.9 pct, and feeling safer when riding on sidewalks, cited by 65.9 pct. Many respondents called for improvements to road infrastructure. The most common requests were the installation of dedicated bicycle lanes, sought by 83.9 pct, and ensuring sufficient road width for cyclists to ride safely, cited by 83.2 pct. Measures to address roadside parking were also popular, at 45.0 pct. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
