Cycling, manners, and tourism in Japan

First, I want to talk about cycling. Did you know there was a massive bicycle show held last week at Osaka Port? I wanted to go, but I couldn't. Luckily for me, Mr. K wrote all about it on his blog so I could get some good info. From the content of his blog, it seemed really interesting. It's a shame I couldn't go this time, but that's OK. Hopefully I can go next time. Recently, I became interested in cycling. I don't mean just riding my old "grandma bike" around town. I mean tough, hard-core cycling, road racing. For that, I have to buy a new bicycle. Since I don't think santa is gonna get me one for Christmas, I am thinking about getting one some time next year.

And, while I am on the subject of riding bicycles, I read an article in the newspaper the other day about bicycle manners in Japan. According to the article, Osaka people have the worst bicycle manners in all of Japan...

I wasn't aware of many of the "riding rules." Do you know the "rules of the road" for bicycles? I didn't...But after I read the article, I reflected on my riding style...From now I think must be more careful and follow all of the rules.
How about you? Do you ride a bike? If yes, do you have good manners, do you follow the rules when you ride?

And, to change the subject, below is an interesting topic:

"How can the government encourage more tourists to visit Japan"

Click here for the whole article:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20091124vf.html

Some of the highlights of the above article are:

The gov't should:

1. provide free English guides. (I agree...because it is very difficult to get around Japan if you do not understand Japanese)

2. make more English signs

3. advertise better.

In addition, I think that the gov't should do something about the Yen. Right now, the Yen is too strong. So it is really expensive for tourists to visit Japan. Actually, not really expensive. Because of the exchange rate now, around 86 yen to the dollar, it is TOO EXPENSIVE.

But for Japanese people, if the Yen is that strong, then it is a great time to travel abroad, and also buy stuff from overseas on the net, I think.

Have a good Thursday night, be careful in the rain, and enjoy the weekend!