bicycle navigation mark

The Metropolitan Police Department is promoting the installation of ``bicycle navigation marks'' on the left side of roadways to encourage safe passage of bicycles.　

Inagi City Hall, in consultation with the Tama Chuo Police Station, will gradually install this "bicycle navigation mark" on the city's main roads and routes connecting main roads.
On roads where this bicycle navigation mark is installed, it has the effect of preventing bicycles from going the wrong way.

• This clearly indicates the areas where bicycles should pass and the direction in which they should proceed .
• Please ride your bicycle in the direction of the arrow . (You cannot go backwards.)

Note: This sign is not stipulated by law, and the sign itself does not specify a new traffic method. (The traffic method must follow legal or road sign traffic regulations.)

Metropolitan Police Department homepage (bicycle traffic rules) (external link)

The "bicycle navigation mark" has no meaning such as "priority to bicycles".
Please be careful of cars and pedestrians even when riding on roads marked with the Bicycle Navi Mark.
Also, when avoiding vehicles parked on the road, be sure to check to see if there are any vehicles coming from behind.

As a general rule, bicycles must ride on the road, regardless of whether a bicycle navigation mark is installed or not.
However, the Road Traffic Act stipulates that you can use the sidewalk in the following cases:
　

• When a "normal bicycles are allowed on the sidewalk" sign is installed (if there is a sign on the right)
• When a person under 13 years old or over 70 years old rides a bicycle (elementary school students or younger or the elderly)
• When a person with a physical disability rides a bicycle
• When it is unavoidable to walk on the sidewalk for safety reasons (when road construction is underway or there are parked vehicles on the roadway, making it dangerous)

Pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks, and bicycles are only permitted on sidewalks in exceptional cases.
When riding a bicycle on the sidewalk, please ride slowly and keep close to the road.
If there are many pedestrians on the sidewalk or if there is a risk of blocking pedestrians' passage, dismount and push your bicycle.
If a pedestrian does not notice a bicycle, instead of ringing your bell, say "Excuse me, I'm going through."