The number of people riding bicycles on the western side of Watanabe-dori Ave. in Tenjin has plummeted since the City enacted its Bicycle Safety Ordinance on Apr. 1. While City Hall officials attribute the decline in cyclers to the new “push your bike” zone mandated by the ordinance, they are aware that bicycle traffic has increased on surrounding streets. The City stationed monitors in the new zone from Apr. 1 to 7, during which time 7,110 riders were asked to push their bikes. Only 20% refused or ignored the requests. The ordinance appears to be taking hold, but the City says it will consider conducting awareness-raising campaigns and stationing monitors on surrounding streets in order to keep pedestrians safe. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Apr. 10
