世論 What Japan Thinks

At the start of September MyVoice surveyed their internet monitor pool to find out their bicycle usage habits. 13,091 people successfully complete the private opinion poll; 46% were male, 3% in their teens, 21% in their twenties, 38% in their thirties, 25% in their forties, and 13% aged fifty or older.

It may be interesting to refer to a survey from last year on carrying children on bicycles. Riding is downright dangerous for not just the rider, but pedestrians and cars too, as rules of the road (or pavement) are mostly ignored. The average rider seems to treat ringing the bell or squeeking the brakes as a sign to everyone that says “Get out of the way or I’ll run you over!”

Note that the standard bicycle in Q2 is most often a heavy, single gear machine with front basket and very unsubtle brakes. When I was a kid, the nearest thing was the boring old three-speed Raleigh, which was probably more technically sophisticated than the current Japanese models!

Q1: About how often do you ride a bicycle? (Sample size=13,091)

Almost every day	19.7%
A number of times per week	14.6%
Once a week	10.8%
Once a month	7.6%
Have a bicycle but almost never use it	22.2%
Don’t have a bicycle	25.0%

Q2: What type of bicycle do you mostly ride? (Sample size=bicycle riders)

Standard bicycle	75.7%
Compact bicycle	8.5%
Mountain bike	7.0%
Electrically assisted bicycle	3.3%
Road racer	0.8%
Other sports bicycle	1.9%
Tricycle	0.0%
Other	1.9%
No answer	0.8%

Q3: What do you usually use your bicycle for? (Sample size=bicycle riders, multiple answer)

Shopping	73.3%
Commuting to railway/bus station	20.2%
Commuting all the way to work or school	19.7%
Leisure trips	15.9%
Going to hospital	10.3%
Carrying children	10.2%
Bicycle touring	7.1%
Work	6.8%
Other	10.4%
No answer	0.3%

Q4: If there is no bicycle lane on your route, where do you ride? (Sample size=bicycle riders, multiple answer)

Pavement (sidewalk)	76.9%
Left side of road with no pavement	52.6%
Left side of road with pavement	39.5%
Right side of road with no pavement	11.1%
Right side of road with pavement	9.4%
Middle of road with no pavement	3.0%
Middle of road with pavement	2.4%
No answer	0.4%

Note that Japan drives and rides on the left, and I suspect “middle of road” implies mid-lane, rather than tending towards the gutter. Note also since there are a lot of twisty, narrow streets all over Japan, depending on conditions most riding positions may be acceptable.

Q5: Which of the following things have you done? (Sample size=bicycle riders, multiple answer)

Ridden across a pedestrian crossing	59.2%
Ridden against the traffic on the right side of the road	46.3%
Ridden two or more abreast	44.5%
Ridden two up	42.8%
Ridden at night with no lights	41.8%
Ridden on the pavement (sidewalk)	39.5%
Ignored traffic signals	36.1%
Not stopped at a STOP sign	33.1%
Ridden carrying a large load	29.0%
Ridden under the influence of alcohol	24.9%
Ridden carrying an umbrella in a busy area	18.0%
Used a mobile phone whilst riding	15.4%
Done none of the above	12.2%
No answer	3.3%

Q6: What is your image of bicycles? (Sample size=13,091, multiple answer)

Small turning circle	70.5%
Economical	60.8%
Convenient	52.6%
Practical	49.6%
Good for health	48.8%
Laid-back	41.0%
Difficult to use when hot or cold, etc	27.6%
Respectful of the environment	26.1%
Tiring	23.3%
Sporty	17.9%
Dangerous	14.6%
Casual	12.3%
Invigorating	9.8%
In the way	9.6%
Elegant	2.4%
Good design or colour	1.7%
Cute	1.5%
Old-fashioned	1.5%
Individualistic	1.2%
None of the above	1.7%
No answer	0.9%