On Air: Fukuoka City Information/2014.02.08(Sat)/09:00～

The Road Traffic Act has been revised. There are now new bicycle rules you should follow.

In law, bicycles are vehicles, like cars. In principle they should pass on the left side of roadways. Bicycles are only permitted to ride on sidewalks if:

There are "Bicycles Permitted" signs postedThe rider is a child under 13, a citizen over 70, and/or physically challengedThey are not able to pass on the street due to construction or parked automobilesThe roadway does not offer adequate room for bicycles to use, and there is danger due to heavy auto traffic

Bicycles are also permitted to use the side strip of roads as long as they are not specified to be solely for pedestrian use. The "side strip" of a road is a special area running along some roadsides. They are designed for pedestrians and/or bicycles to use when there is no sidewalk available. The recent change in law affects these side strips.

Prior to the change in law, bicycles were permitted to pass on either the left or right side of a road using the side strip. However, as of December 1st of last year, this is no longer the case. Bicycles are now to use the side strip on the left-hand side of the road only. If a bicycle is found riding along the right-hand side of the road it is punishable under law. Violators will receive either three or fewer months in jail, or a fine not to exceed ¥50,000.

In addition, bicycles using the side strip of the road are to obey the same traffic signals as cars. This means that if bicycles are riding within the side strip and wish to make a right-hand turn, they should wait for a green light, as cars do, then go across the intersection with the cars, stop on the other side, and change direction to face to their right. They should then attend to the traffic signal facing them at that point, waiting for it to turn green before proceeding forward. Bicycles are not permitted to cross in the pedestrian crossing unless pedestrians are not there, and there is no danger of hitting a pedestrian.

Fukuoka City looks to maintain good rules and manners concerning bicycles and safety. Please help. Please follow the rules.

There is also an announcement about the new national health insurance cards.

New national health insurance cards bearing the names of all covered members of the household will be mailed out in late March to all households continuing in the National Health Insurance program after this April. There is no need to complete any special processing. However, if there are any outstanding fees, the card may have to be received in person at your local ward office.

Please contact the Health Insurance and Pension Section of your local ward office no later than February 19th if you wish to receive it through Simplified Registered Mail. If you do not do so, it will be mailed via regular mail. Those who have already requested service via Simplified Registered Mail in the past will receive their card via Simplified Registered Mail every year and so there is no need to place the request again.

Those 70 through 74 years of age will receive their National Health Insurance Benefits Card for the elderly, or in Japanese, Kourei Jukyusha-sho. You may use the card starting on the 1st day of the month following your 70th birthday. (If your birthday falls on the first of the month, you may use it immediately.) Cards are mailed at the end of the month of citizens' 70th birthday. There is no need to complete any processing application for this service.

In order to apply or request changes be made to your record, please contact the local Health Insurance and Pension Section of your local ward office.