I am an avid cyclist, even though Japan does little to protect pedestrians and cyclists from accidents.

Riding on the pavement is norm (as it is allowed by Japanese traffic law).

Riding on the street, which is much safer for pedestrians (and by the way is the rule in the Japanese traffic law. Bicycles are to be ridden on the left side of the left lane), sometimes angers car drivers, which feel compelled to 'teach the cyclist a lesson'.

The best way out are - yes - cycling roads.

But what made city officials in Sapporo, Hokkaido, to design this one??