Japan Riding Tips

Learning to ride safely and legally in Japan can be tough. Here are a few pointers, based on articles in the English-language Mainichi Daily News:

-- If the cops try to pull you over, do not take your eyes off the road so you can look back and give them the finger.

-- If a cop is actually grabbing part of your motorcycle with his hand, do not ride away dragging him behind you.

-- If the cops pull you over, don't ram your bike into them after they get out of their car.

-- If the cops are just chilling out in their koban (police box), don't ram your bike into that, either.

-- If the cops are still in their car, watch out because they may ram you instead.

-- If the cop has his own motorcycle, do not steal it.

-- Even if you are a cop, you are still not allowed to ride 50km/h over the posted limit just to make sure the speed trap cameras are working.

-- Also for cops, since you are out there enforcing the law and all, make sure you actually have a driver's license.

-- If you snatch a woman's purse while riding your motorcycle, bear in mind that you'll look really lame if she catches up to you on her bicycle and takes her purse back.

-- Giving your girlfriend a ride on your motorcycle is cool; chasing down schoolgirls on your motorcycle is not cool.

Happy riding!