Opinions and Responses

Regarding the Use of Inagi Newsletter in Aiming to Become a Bicycle-Friendly City

[Proposals]
To promote awareness of bicycle riding manners, the Inagi Newsletter will include articles introducing and explaining the revisions to the Road Traffic Act starting next fiscal year, at a frequency of at least once a month, aiming to raise citizens' awareness of proper bicycle riding manners.
(From the perspective of educational activities, it is necessary not to end with just one article, but to address the issue continuously and over the long term.)

[Reason for Proposal]
Previously, I used this proposal system to suggest a plan to separate bicycle and pedestrian lanes on city roads. However, I understand that the reason it has not been implemented yet is due to a lack of funds (budget).
However, with the content of this proposal, no money is needed at all, and it only requires using a part of the page to publish the article, so I believe there is no reason why it cannot be done.
For example, looking at the most recent public relations paper (Issue 1451), there was an article introducing Inagi Fureai Forest spanning three pages. I do not intend to say that this article is unnecessary, but I think it would be possible to at least use half of the page to include an awareness article about bicycle riding rules.
However, as mentioned above, in order to raise awareness among drivers, a single article is not sufficient; it is important to have repeated articles. Therefore, for each installment, it is necessary to address each item of the Road Traffic Act amendments, aiming to raise caution and awareness.

Inagi City refers to itself as the 'City of Bicycles,' so I tried asking CHAT GPT the following question. (The response is long, so here is an excerpt.)

Q. What is important in aiming to become a bicycle-friendly city?

A. 1. Safe Infrastructure Development
Development of dedicated lanes: By establishing bicycle-only paths clearly separated from sidewalks and roadways, it becomes easier to prevent accidents.
Intersection safety measures: Signal control to prevent contact with right and left turning vehicles, and provision of waiting spaces for bicycles.

2. Education on Traffic Rules and Manners
Awareness Activities for Citizens: Promote coexistence with bicycles not only to bicycle users but also to pedestrians and car drivers.
Review of school education and licensing system: Safety education for children, and a system to issue registration stickers to those who have completed certain rule training.

Thank you for your consideration.

Response

Our city promotes tourism community development as the "Bicycle Town Inagi," due to the presence of the "Minami-Tama Ridge Main Road" and the "Tama River Cycling Road," which are used by many cyclists, and because part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games cycling (road) course was set here.
Regarding the awareness-raising campaign for improving bicycle riding manners as proposed, we will effectively disseminate information using public relations media such as the Inagi Newsletter, the city website, and the city's official SNS.

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