11 Reasons Why Bicycling in the U.S. Is Exceptionally Dangerous...and why We Love Kyoto

アメリカでサイクリングする危険さの原因１１つ

Cycling in the United States is not merely aggravating - for both cyclists and drivers of gasoline- and oil-burning vehicles - it is also dangerous.

Recent statistics from the OECD show that the United States, mile for mile, is the most dangerous place in the advanced world to cycle.

Here are a few choice stats thanks to Matt Phillips:

*Roughly “17% of all cycling fatalities were involved in a hit-and-run crash in which one (or several) of their crash opponents fled the scene (2005-2011, FARS) – presumably the motorist(s). This is nearly four times the rate of hit-and-run involvement for all recorded traffic fatalities over the same period in the United States (4%).”
*“Investigating officers on the scene of fatal bicycle crashes in the United States found no contributory factor on the part of the motorist in 46% of cases.”
*“An overwhelming majority of fatal bicycle crashes occur in dry or clear atmospheric conditions – 94% in the USA and 87% in Europe.”
*“One quarter of (deceased) cyclists for which an alcohol test was performed returned blood alcohol values above 0.08 mg/ltr which constitutes a drink-driving offense in all 50 US states.”
*“In the United States, most fatal bicycle-vehicle collisions involved a passenger car or light truck (Sports Utility Vehicle) though 10% of fatal bicycle collisions involved a large truck.”
OECD
*“In the United States, 36% of all fatal bicycle crashes for the period 2005-2011 occurred in junctions with another 4% in driveways (commercial and private) most likely caused by entering or exiting motor vehicles.”
*“In the United States, the share of fatal bicycle crashes occurring in low-speed zones was lower than in Europe – possibly because low-speed traffic calmed zones are relatively less common in the United States.”
*“In the United States, 27% of deceased cyclists for which helmet use was recorded wore helmets in 2010 and 2011.”
*“Red light running by cyclists … is an often-cited contributory factor in fatal and serious injury bicycle crashes (at least in the United States).”
*“Motorists were charged with traffic violations in nearly one third of all fatal bicycle crashes and investigating officers identified a crash-contributing factor on the part of the motorist in over half of all fatal bicycle crashes.”
*“Data from the United States indicate that cyclists were imputed with an improper action in 68% of fatal bicycle crashes (though, as noted earlier, this may be biased as the cyclist was not able to give their version of events).”

Japan, in spite of a lack of infrastructure, is much safer thanks primarily we think because of greater awareness on the part of drivers.

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No to Japan Linear Shinkansen Train!

リニア新幹線の審議で見えてきた問題点

We at CycleKyoto are passionately, unabashedly pro-public transportation. In tandem with walking and cycling, it is safe, healthy, good for the environment, cost-effective, and pro-business.

Japan is heaven for those of our ilk. Trains - JR and multiple private railways - run on time, are spotlessly clean, and provide excellent service. Some cities have brought back trolleys - or, as they are now known, light rail. Though we prefer more environmentally-friendly forms of transportation, city and intercity buses are equally well run.

And, of course, Japan's bullet trains are world class.

Now, however, there is a movement to install linear bullet trains. Also known as Maglev (magnetic levitation), these trains are propelled while using magnets rather than with wheels, axles, and bearings. The train therefore levitates a short distance away from a guide - similar to traditional train tracks. Maglev trains thus travel more smoothly and quietly than ordinary trains and trolleys because of lower friction.

JR East has laid out plans to begin work on an initial line - the Linear Chuo Shinkansen - and has support from the current Japanese government.

The first line would run from Tokyo's Shinagawa Station to Nagoya and is set to open in 2027. With capacity for 1000 passengers, the trains are able to run at 500 km (310 mph) per hour. For a non-stop trip to Nagoya, it will take but 40 minutes.

After that, the line will be extended to Osaka.

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Sounds great, no?

For several reasons, though, we oppose maglev trains.

First is cost. Japan's finances are a disaster. Per capita Japan is the most indebted nation on the planet. To build the Tokyo - Nagoya route is estimated to cost 5 trillion yen (USD 5 billion). However, even supporters admit that until digging for tunnels begins in certain areas they have no idea how quickly construction will proceed. Expect costs to balloon and far exceed these estimates.

Second is safety. On the first planned route - Tokyo to Nagoya - 86% of it will pass through tunnels. Thus, on a 286 km route, 246 of those kilometers will be underground in tunnels. In particular, the tunnel through Fossa Magna, a rift from Niigata to Shizuoka, will be extremely difficult to bore. Worse still, in the event of an earthquake, the geological strata may shift by as much as several meters. Another safety issue is - earthquake or simple breakdown - how would 1,000 passengers evacuate from a tunnel?

Third is the price of the ticket. The price of a one-way ticket between Tokyo and Nagoya is expected to be 700 yen ($7) more than the current price of 10,780 yen.

Fourth, the environmental impact will be huge and lasting.

Finally, though France may wish to differ, Japan already has the world's best high-speed rail system. In order to save a bit of time, is economic and environmental destruction really necessary?

Why not use those funds to further strengthen Japan's transport system, fix crumbling bridges, increase day care, make public schools more attractive, make alternative energy sources mainstream, etc.

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Volvo debuts world's first cyclist detection system with full auto-brake

ボルボ、前方の自転車との衝突回避する技術を2014年モデルから導入

Here is another reason to love Scandinavians.

Volvo announced that the car company will introduce the world's first cyclist detection system in its upcoming line of vehicles.

The cars are equipped with full auto-brake and sensors.

The technology - Cyclist Detection - employs a "sonar-like sensor system" to scan the area ahead of the car.

Kudos and a deep bow of thanks.

To read the entire article, click here.


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Transportation and Public Health

交通と健康

An important article in Annual Review looks at the connection between transportation and health.

Americans often wonder why the French, Japanese, etc. stay slim while eating so well.

We are not experts but would posit that one factor - the act of commuting on a bus, subway, train or better yet a bike - plays a large role in keeping one relatively fit.

Outside of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco, there are few places in the United States where riding public transportation is safe, clean, efficient, and and convenient. Ergo, Americans walk from their front door to the car door, drive on subsidized oil on subsidized roads to a subsidized parking space in a lot at the suburban office park.

And gain weight.

We are not making a moral argument - Americans are not bad - but a practical argument. The "best" form of transport in 9 out of 10 (99 out of 100?) cases is the car. Therefore, Americans make the logical, practical decision to get behind the wheel.

Here in Kyoto, driving is something of a luxury. Gas prices are at world levels - not US levels - an annual automobile tax is expensive, parking is at a premium, roads are crowded, and good public transportation is available. Thus, Japanese make the logical, practical decision to walk, ride, or cycle.

Here is the abstract. For those not a member though, there is a fee to read the entire article.

"This article investigates various ways that transportation policy and planning decisions affect public health and better ways to incorporate public health objectives into transport planning. Conventional planning tends to consider some public health impacts, such as crash risk and pollution emissions measured per vehicle-kilometer, but generally ignores health problems resulting from less active transport (reduced walking and cycling activity) and the additional crashes and pollution caused by increased vehicle mileage. As a result, transport agencies tend to undervalue strategies that increase transport system diversity and reduce vehicle travel. This article identifies various win-win strategies that can help improve public health and other planning objectives."

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57% Kyoto Wooden Buildings Earthquake Proof

木造の耐震化５７％どまり　京都市内の一戸建て

On the anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake, which devastated Kobe 18 years ago today, Kyoto is still struggling to get its wooden buildings up to code.

Though Kyoto does not see seismic activity in the way other areas of Japan do, it lies on two faults.

In a survey of the city's detached wooden buildings, according to the Kyoto Shinbun newspaper, just 57% were found to be earthquake-proof. Kyoto is aiming to have 90% of the such buildings up to code by 2015.

660,930 buildings were surveyed. Of those built or renovated since 1981, 75.4% are quake-proof.


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Cycling Fatalities by Country Japan

自転車走行距離と走行距離あたり自転車乗用中死者数

According to a Japanese Cabinet Report, Holland is the safest country in the world in which to cycle.

On page 99, amongst the jargon and charts and bureaucratese, there is a graph that represents daily kilometers pedaled and fatalities per 100 million kilometers.

The Dutch ride more than anyone on the planet - and are killed on their bikes less than anyone on the planet.

The rate for fatalities in Holland was under two people. By rank in terms of safety, Holland was followed by:

2. Denmark
3. Norway
4. Sweden
5. Germany
6. Japan (3.59 fatalities)
7. Switzerland
8. Finland
9. Great Britain
10. Austria
11. Italy

The Japanese Cabinet report did not bother to list the United States. Taking to the streets of America can be fatal, whether because of gun, knife, or car. The US, with the lowest rate of cycling, has however by far the highest rate of injury and fatalities.


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Kyoto is Safe to Visit Now

京都観光は安全だよ！

While the crisis continues to unfold in Tohoku in northeast Japan, the rest of Japan remains much as it always has been.

Images of Japan have of course been of the disaster and now recovery effort.

The recent announcement that the nuclear crisis on the coast of Fukushima has been raised to level 7 does not inspire confidence in Tokyo Power.

However, at the risk of sounding like George W. Bush following 9/11, Japan needs a strong economy in order to rebuild.

Part of that income comes in the form of tourist dollars, euros, won, etc.

And there is actually no better time to come than now.

A few factoids:

Kyoto is 521 kilometers (324 miles) from Fukushima City, and a bit further to the actual power plants
Prevailing winds blow out to the Pacific (away from Kyoto and Tokyo)
0.0041: Level of Radiation (Average range: 0.033-0.087) on April 13, according to the Ministry of Education
22: Number of murders in Kyoto in 2009
306: Number of murders in Philadelphia with the same population of 1.5 million
17: Number of World Heritage Sites
7: Number of 3-star Michelin guide restaurants (Kyoto has the third most stars of any city in the world, following Tokyo and Paris)

Hotels are begging for guests, temples are seeing light traffic, and spring has arrived.

There are no shortages, and everything is working as it always has.

Kiyomizu Temple - pictured at right - awaits.

京都へよこそう！Welcome to Kyoto.

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