It seems like many transportation companies these days are frequently refusing to allow bicycles on their buses. I don't have my own car, and for various reasons, I actively use bus transportation when traveling.
I've been using it from 2-3 years ago until December of this year, and I plan to use it when participating in competitions this year. So far, I have never been refused boarding, but...
Regarding recent boarding refusals, when I read posts on the free bulletin board, it appears that boarding is being refused due to legal amendments, company regulations, and such.
To my knowledge, there is no legal reason to refuse boarding to customers with bicycles, so I feel confused.
Of course, I understand the grievances of those who have suffered damage due to people displaying various unsportsmanlike behavior, but...
Legally, there doesn't seem to be a legitimate reason to refuse boarding, which makes this even more concerning.
Article 26, Paragraph 1 of the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Business Act
explicitly states that one must not engage in 'refusing passenger boarding without just cause or making passengers get off midway.'
Here, 'just cause' seems very ambiguous.
As a reason that everyone recognizes, there could be insufficient space in the cargo compartment. In that case, it is a reason that even bicycle-carrying passengers can accept.
Other reasons that could be considered as just cause are:
1. 'When there is a risk that a bicycle may damage other passengers' cargo'
2. 'When loading a bicycle on the vehicle, it could potentially hinder the safe operation of the vehicle'
In case 1, since bicycles occupy one entire cargo compartment by nature of their size, and each compartment is separated, I don't think this can be considered a just cause.
In case 2, it might differ depending on one's perspective, but from my perspective, a bicycle is not heavy cargo that could move and hinder safety, and if simply loading a bicycle hinders safe vehicle operation, I believe it is a vehicle problem.
In my 'subjective' opinion, transportation companies don't seem to have a just cause to refuse bicycles on board, but...
Since transportation companies are refusing boarding, knowing that it's illegal, I can't help but feel burdened.
I also have many concerns. I'm worried too. But I can't just ride a bicycle several hundred kilometers to the competition venue.
Thank you for reading my long post so far, and if you have other opinions or solutions, please leave a comment.
