[ismetony]

Wow, quite a sadening story. I have had similar run-ins with those punk ass cops asking me the same questions about "where is my light" and all that nonsense. If you just speak english and do not mutter a word of Japanese, chances are they will get frustrated and let you go.

[oyajikun]

LMAO I have been stopped 3 times in the last year riding my bike.

[cstaylor]

Almost happened to me in Kannai... fortunately I was shadowing my brother-in-law pretty closely, so the cops didn't bother.

[Taro Toporific]

Is this your bike?
from AssemblyLanguage

Besides FG bicycle stories , AssemblyLanguage have got a lot of odd photos....

Images Section http://www.assemblylanguage.com/i.html

[gomichild]

The bike thing has never happened to me - nor have i been hassled for my gaijin card.

In fact it's the opposite. Many a time I have stopped police to ask directions, and of course there was the infamous time i stopped 5 of them on bikes to complain about graffiti in the neighbourhood.

I wonder if it's something to do with the way you look or something? The attitude with which you walk around?

Mystery.

[Taro Toporific]

The bike thing has never happened to me - nor have i been hassled for my gaijin card....
I wonder if it's something to do with the way you look or something? The attitude with which you walk around?
Mystery.

Damn I hate to say anything good about Japan, but I have not been hassled for my gaijin in the past 20 years. I always assume that it's because all the cops know me by name. However, even in strange neighborhoods cops avoid me. I guess I'm too scarey, like American Oyaji. :P

For the 30 years J-friend's conversation school was open, EVERY SINGLE ENGLISH TEACHER was hassled (more than 2,000 FGs over the years). So all I can say is the appropriate disclaimers apply, your mileage may differ, T.I.J.