As in other countries, it has been commonplace for bicycles to travel on the roadway. But, it was during the mid-1960’s to mid-1970’s that there was a sudden proliferation of accidents involving bicycles and cars, and bicycles were permitted to travel on sideways. Under ordinary circumstances, this would have been just a temporary measure, but it became commonplace for bicycles to travel on sidewalks. As a result, there was an increase in the number of accidents involving bicycles and pedestrians. Deaths occurred, as well as accidents resulting in serious disabilities, and more than a few incidents of high damage compensation being paid.
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You might assume that it is more dangerous for bicycles to travel on the roadway than on sidewalks, but in actuality, bicycles are involved in more accidents because of riding on the sidewalk than on the roadway, making sidewalk riding more dangerous. This is because it is more difficult for cars to be aware of bicycles when they are travelling on sidewalks. There are actually many reports of collisions between cars and bicycles at intersections when a bicycle that had been travelling on the sideway suddenly appears in an intersection and the car failed to notice it. Cyclist may feel they are safer on the sidewalk, but we highly encourage them to travel on the roadway where it is easier for cars to notice them.
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The car coming toward you suddenly turns right,The car coming toward you suddenly turns right, and you collide with it as you move into the intersection. |
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A large vehicle ahead of you turns left and you get caught up in the turn!You become involved in the accident because the large vehicle cannot see you in its mirrors; in other words, you are in its “blind spot.” When the vehicle turns, its rear wheels travel more into the inner part of the intersection than its front wheels. |
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You try to avoid a car turning left, but instead collide with the car coming from behind you.The car in front turns left, but notices a pedestrian in the crosswalk and suddenly stops. When you try to go around the car, you collide with the car behind you which has suddenly changed lanes to the middle of the roadway. |
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You collide head on into the oncoming car!You collide with the car coming toward you which is attempting to avoid the car parked on its side of the road. |
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The door of the vehicle you are trying to pass suddenly opens!You collide into the door of the parked truck when it suddenly opens. |
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You collide into the car coming from behind!Both of you try to go around a large vehicle, but you collide into the car coming from behind which is attempting to go around the same truck also. |
When you cause a bicycle accident resulting in injury to another person and possibly breaking or damaging their personal possessions, the victim may demand a high amount of damage compensation. Given incidents in the past of accidents causing injury and damage, it is very important that you take out insurance to be prepared in case you cause a bicycle accident.
To ensure that financial compensation can be made in the event of a bicycle accident, there is a form of insurance called “Private Liability Insurance” which pays out when other people suffer injuries and/or their possessions are broken.
There is another form of insurance called “Accident Insurance” which is for when you yourself are involved in an accident and fall down or are subjected to other situations which cause injury to yourself. You can purchase the insurance at a “Bicycle Safety Maintenance Store” and your bicycle will be inspected and necessary maintenance work will be conducted. If your bicycle meets the basic standards, you will be given the “TS Mark Insurance” sticker which you affix to your bicycle. Should you be injured in an accident and if you cause injury to someone else, in both cases there would be a payout, as long as you are qualified to have the “TS Mark Insurance” sticker.
※ It is also possible to take out Private Liability Insurance containing
injury insurance, fire insurance, and car insurance.
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What is TS Mark Insurance?Bicycles that have been inspected and serviced by a bicycle safety mechanic and have been declared safe, may display the TS Mark. In doing so, the owner of the bicycle may take out insurance known as TS Mark Insurance. Coverage includes a maximum liability payment of ¥50 million, and provides compensation for injuries requiring hospitalization of 15 days or longer. |
The validity period for TS Mark Insurance is one year after the inspection and servicing work was completed. Don’t forget to renew!The TS Mark Insurance only remains valid for a period of one year after the day the inspection and required servicing was completed. You must take care to maintain your bike regularly and make sure its insurance never lapses. |
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