New traffic law for cyclists effective as of December 1, 2013: You must be aware as you could be fined!
　Please note: By traffic law, bicycles grouped in the category of automobiles and NOT in the category of 　pedestrians. Hence cyclists are supposed to run on roads along with automobiles and you are not allowed
　to ride on pedestrian’s walk or roadside where white paint line exists between the road for cars and 　pedestrian’s walk (this thin strip of road is called “ro-so-ku-tai”). However, there are exceptions: Cyclists 　can ride on pedestrian’s walk or “ro-so-ku-tai” in 2 cases: the pedestrian’s walk is specified to allow cyclists 　to run where you will see traffic signs indicating this or for the case that it is dangerous to run on the street 　along with automobiles due to the traffic condition or road construction work etc.

　The change in the traffic law concerns cyclists who run on the “ro-so-ku-tai”.
　As “ro-so-ku-tai” is not wide, there have been many collisions by cyclists. Hence the law forces cyclists to 　run on “ro-so-ku-tai” only on your left side of the road. Well, some roads do not have pedestrian’s walk on 　both side of the road. It generally follows that there is “ro-so-ku-tai” on the road only on one side of the 　road. In this case, you run on pedestrian’s walk. Naturally, you must give right of way for pedestrians.  　What you should be aware is that you could be fined if you do not respect the law.