there are many differences, and similarities between/with japanese and australian bicyle laws, culture and habits.
one such difference is in how most japanese bicycle owners don't tend to lock their bicycle to an immovable object. instead, one or two locks are used to immobilise the wheels. i could only guess that it might be reflective of a generally law abiding culture with low chance of bicycles being stolen, and/or that bicycles are so common and such an everyday part of life, that people might think, "why on earth would you want to steal a bicycle?"
I am not sure on your second point. The dutch have bicycles sewn into their DNA and yet they are forever stealing each other's bikes (actually this is unfair...a few ne'er-do-wells are doing all the stealing...but they do a lot of it). It puts me in mind of two favourite topics.
ReplyDelete1)The effectiveness of punishment as deterrent. The japanese courts have an over 99% guilty verdict for anything which reaches trial. Appalling for a country that is considered a lawful, democratic and fair country.
2) The ability of ancient cultures to deal with crimes, criminal intent and anti-social behaviour via social rather than legal mechanisms.
Interesting that you should mention the Dutch... I had actually thought, when in Japan, that a Dutch bicycle thief would, possibly, be overwhelmed by choice... the number of bicycles that are so poorly secured (by Dutch standards) is amazing!
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