The big one is really forcing cyclists onto the road. There wide open and many parts hardly used footpaths. You have to contend with all the cycling paths blocked by idling stop cars, parked cars and trucks. Are Japanese police going to clamp down on that?If you commute daily, you will need to plan your route diligently. It is not exactly rocket science to chart an economical route that minimises traffic signals and other impediments. If commuters give up their bicycles because they have to comply with traffic regulations, I am glad they stay off the roads!
You have to contend with all the cycling paths blocked by idling stop cars, parked cars and trucks. Are Japanese police going to clamp down on that?
Covering riders 16 and older, there are 113 possible violations, such as distractedly riding a bike while looking at a smartphone or ignoring traffic lights. No criminal penalties will be involved as long as a violator pays the fines of between 3,000 yen ($19) and 12,000 yen. According to the National Police Agency, the blue tickets will be written by police officers who observe egregious or dangerous acts. Until now, either red tickets, which involve criminal penalties, were issued for violations by bike riders or the riders were simply given a warning and guidance. The blue tickets are intended to quickly penalize egregious bike riding to prevent even more tragic accidents.
And is it true that the maximum speed on bike lanes will be 8kph?? Does this refer to sidewalks or dedicated bike lanes?
You must ride slowly in pedestrian areas.
A. Signal & Lane Violations (1–15)
- Ignoring traffic signals
- Crossing at a red light
- Failing to stop at a stop sign
- Riding against the one-way direction
- Disobeying pedestrian crossing signals
- Entering vehicle-only lanes
- Crossing at a no-entry zone
- Failing to yield at unmarked intersections
- Illegal right turn
- Illegal left turn
- Not following lane markings
- Riding outside the designated bike lane
- Cutting into traffic without signalling
- Sudden lane entry without safety confirmation
- U-turn in a prohibited area
B. Speed & Dangerous Operation (16–29)
- Excessive speed
- Reckless zigzagging between cars
- Failing to reduce speed near crossings
- Attempting to overtake unsafely
- Chasing or racing another bicycle
- Tailgating pedestrians
- Jumping curbs at speed
- Unnecessary honking or bell use
- Abrupt braking causing danger
- Wheelie or one-wheel riding
- Riding without both hands on the handlebars
- Riding while standing on pedals in traffic
- Reckless downhill riding
- Performing stunts or acrobatics
C. Pedestrian-Related Infractions (30–43)
- Failing to yield to pedestrians on sidewalks
- Riding too fast on shared pedestrian paths
- Passing pedestrians without an audible signal
- Splattering water or mud on pedestrians
- Colliding with a pedestrian
- Using a sidewalk where cycling is prohibited
- Ignoring posted pedestrian priority
- Failing to dismount in pedestrian zones
- Harassing or intimidating pedestrians
- Use of horn/bell to force passage
- Riding through school zones during restricted hours
- Passing too close to baby strollers
- Ignoring pedestrian crossing lights
- Failing to give a verbal warning when approaching pedestrians
D. Lighting, Equipment, and Visibility (44–58)
- No headlight at night
- No tail reflector
- No rear light when required
- Broken or missing brakes
- No functional bell
- Removing safety features
- Using illegal modifications
- Missing reflectors on wheels
- No reflective clothing or gear at night (delivery zones)
- Carrying an oversized load blocking light
- Riding with an unregistered e-bike motor
- Use of excessive sound systems
- Riding without a required license plate (certain e-bikes)
- Using a mobile phone while riding
- Use of an umbrella or sunshade while operating a bicycle
E. Alcohol, Drugs, and Distraction (59–67)
- Riding under the influence of alcohol
- Riding under the influence of drugs
- Using a smartphone/GPS while riding
- Listening to earphones on both ears
- Filming or taking selfies while riding
- Reading or writing messages/texts
- Using VR/AR devices while riding
- Eating while operating
- Smoking while operating a bicycle
F. Passenger & Load Rules (68–80)
- Carrying a passenger on a standard bicycle
- Overloading the cargo carrier
- Carrying a child in a non-designated seat
- Riding double without allowance
- Transporting a pet improperly secured
- Carrying objects obstructing vision
- Carrying hazardous materials
- Holding an umbrella or items in hand
- Attaching trailers without a permit
- Using a baby seat without an approved harness
- Carrying excessive shopping bags interferes with control
- Loading uneven cargo distribution
- Towing another bicycle
G. Parking, Obstruction & Registration (81–93)
- Illegal bicycle parking
- Blocking bus stops or fire hydrants
- Parking on pedestrian crossings
- Abandoning a bicycle in a public place
- Failing to display registration sticker
- Removing serial number plate
- Parking in no-bicycle zones
- Leaving the bike in front of the station exit
- Obstructing the emergency vehicle route
- Ignoring removal notices
- Failure to pay impound fees
- Using an unregistered or stolen bicycle
- Tampering with the registration number
H. Crossing, Signals, and Shared-Road Duties (94–105)
- Crossing rail tracks unsafely
- Entering a level crossing while the gates are down
- Crossing the intersection diagonally
- Failing to obey hand signals from police
- Not using a hand signal when turning
- Not checking behind before turning
- Entering crosswalk when unsafe
- Failing to stop for school crossing guards
- Ignoring local cycling restriction zones
- Ignoring bicycle traffic signals
- Disobeying the "vehicle priority" road sign
- Obstructing buses or taxis while manoeuvring
I. Miscellaneous / Conduct and Responsibility (106–113)
- Failure to attend the safety seminar after repeated infractions
- Failing to report an accident
- Leaving the accident scene without offering aid
- Damaging public property while cycling
- Using non-approved electric assistance modification
- Riding without insurance (e-bikes or shared fleets)
- Allowing underage or unlicensed riders one-bike
- Refusing police inspection or questioning relating to a traffic offence
If it's that windy then maybe they shouldn't be riding bicycles.First day of fine enforcement and no police presence just like every other day. By the way it was windy with a good chance of bicycles blown into traffic. Japanese politicians acting against safety.
What choice do you have? I have to go home and to work. JR train network is rubbish because they are incompetent the ridiculopus single track Kawagoe line does not join to Keihin Tohoku line most off the time.If it's that windy then maybe they shouldn't be riding bicycles.
Also it is powerful sudden gusts that are the danger.If it's that windy then maybe they shouldn't be riding bicycles.
Also it is powerful sudden gusts that are the danger.
I never have gusts from small alleys- it is all gusts in open areas.. There is nothing you can do except to barely direct the bicycle a little.When cycling in urban areas, you have to prepare for sudden gusts from small alleys. They act as wind tunnels and can literally blow you over.
I have my first commute into Tokyo later today under the revised law. I'm curious to see if there is a heightened police presence!
Do the laws impact your normal riding patterns? Did you ride on the street previously?When cycling in urban areas, you have to prepare for sudden gusts from small alleys. They act as wind tunnels and can literally blow you over.
I have my first commute into Tokyo later today under the revised law. I'm curious to see if there is a heightened police presence!
Do the laws impact your normal riding patterns? Did you ride on the street previously?
Police have issued 2,147 "blue ticket" traffic citations nationwide just over a month after Japan introduced bicycle penalties on April 1, according to preliminary data from the National Police Agency. Failing to heed stop signs accounted for the largest share of violations at 39 percent. This was followed by distracted riding, which includes using a smartphone while cycling, at 33 percent. Violations related to riding on sidewalks totaled 10 cases. Blue tickets are issued for relatively minor traffic offenses; if the fine is paid, no criminal penalty is imposed.
The survey didn't ask about enforcement- here it is basically non-existent. Some people put some lip service to following the rules but cops on the street have no interest in trying to enforce it. I could just see the laws going to court and seeing the lawyer introducing how wriggle room the NPA introduced in its statement of the laws and case falling apart.As of 1 April, over 2,000 "blue tickets" have been issued by the police.
According to a survey conducted by Mainichi, frustrations over the new regulations are growing. Here's the brief on the acceptance of the new bicycle rules:
Overall responses:
Age 18–29:
- 62% said the new rules were "appropriate".
- 20% said they were "too strict".
- 8% said they were "not strict enough".
People in their 30s and 40s:
- 36% said "appropriate".
- 33% said "too strict".
People in their 50s and 60s:
- More than 50% said "appropriate".
People aged 70 and older:
- More than 60% said "appropriate".
By occupation:
- 75% said "appropriate".
Students:
- 57% of full-time employees said "appropriate".
- 69% of homemakers said "appropriate".
- 20% said "appropriate".
- 60% said "too strict".
Frustrations grow over Japan's new bicycle 'blue ticket' traffic fine system - The Mainichi
TOKYO -- Japan'smainichi.jp
Yet even in prefectures without clear rules, cycling while using an umbrella stand is not necessarily exempt from regulation. Osaka Prefecture, where umbrella stands are most common, does not specifically mention them in its traffic rules, but there are limits on loads, with regulations stating that items "must not protrude more than 0.15 meters from either side of the carrier." Similar provisions exist in most other prefectures, including Hokkaido, Tokyo, Aichi and Fukuoka prefectures. If an umbrella stand is considered a "load," it could be subject to a blue ticket for a "light vehicle loading violation," which carries a 3,000 yen (around $19) fine.
I wonder if there are similar/parallel regulations for those umbrella hats--"max 15cm beyond the side of the head", or something like that.
Just wondering... Personally I think the aerodynamics would be funky. Raise your head and lose it, or even a good gust. Images don't show them having one, but I'd think a chin strap or some other kind of tether would be important.