Regarding the Sept. 8 Lifelines article "Cycling after drink may mean five years in clink": Finally we see some justice for the many pedestrians who have been badly injured or even killed by mindless sidewalk cyclists who think that bicycle brakes are designed only for sharp corners but not for people or pets who must share the same space.
Sidewalks are for walking — not for a bicyclist hurtling along at 30 kph! I've been clipped by a thoughtless bicyclist from time to time on the sidewalks around Tokyo. One day I actually shoved back and the offending cyclist was very shocked, as he should have been. (I'm 190 cm tall and weigh nearly 120 kg.)
If someone walked along the street swinging a baseball bat for exercise and accidentally hit a passing pedestrian, he'd be facing time in the clink. And what about the fool who loves to practice his golf swing right out in the middle of the street — even at times using a real golf ball during his very public practice session? Pedestrians have been injured by such stupid "golfers" as well.
Yes, the sidewalks and narrow streets in Japan can be very hazardous to those who must walk.