I don't understand the bicycle traffic rules in Japan! Here are some traffic rules and things to be aware of.

Hello, this is Kano from JAC (Japan Association for Construction Human Resources).

Bicycles are convenient for transportation.
Maybe there are some people who want to ride a bicycle in Japan.

When riding a bicycle in Japan, be sure to follow traffic rules!
Failure to follow traffic rules can be a crime.
There is a risk of injuring someone else or even yourself.

Here we introduce Japan's bicycle traffic rules to ensure safe cycling.

I don't understand the bicycle traffic rules in Japan! Learn the basic traffic rules

In Japan, there are five rules for safe bicycle use.

Follow these five rules:

1. Generally, drive on the left side of the road.
2. Stop when you come across a stop sign
3. Turn on the lights at night
4. Don't ride a bike when you're drinking
5. Wear a helmet (obligation to make an effort)

If you violate these rules, you may be subject to fines or imprisonment*.
* Imprisonment: A punishment that requires forced labor in a prison for a certain period of time.

We will explain each of the five rules below.

1. Generally, ride on the left side of the road. When riding on the sidewalk, give priority to pedestrians.

In Japan, bicycles are called "light vehicles" and are treated as a type of car.
Therefore, you should generally drive on the left side of the road.

However, in the following cases 1 to 3, regular bicycles may be ridden on the sidewalk.

1. Road signs and markings indicate that bicycles are permitted on the road
2. Children under 13, seniors over 70, and people with disabilities
3. When road and traffic conditions make it difficult to drive on the road

1. Road signs and markings are as follows:

The third reason is when it is dangerous, such as when there are road construction works underway, there are cars parked and you cannot drive, there are too many cars and you cannot drive, or the road is narrow.

Also, when riding a bicycle on the sidewalk, pedestrians have the right of way.
When running, run close to the road.

2. Stop when you see a stop sign

When you see a stop sign that says "Stop," you must come to a complete stop before the stop line.
Check for safety on both sides before proceeding.

▼Pause sign
If you do not follow this rule, you may be subject to imprisonment of up to three months or a fine of up to 50,000 yen.

3. Turn on the lights at night

When it gets dark, be sure to turn on the lights.

If you don't turn on your lights, it will be difficult for cars and trucks to see your bicycle, which can be very dangerous as it could lead to a collision.
For safety, turn on your bicycle lights when riding at night.

Riding a bicycle at night without lights on is a violation of bicycle traffic rules that is often warned about by police officers.
You may be subject to a fine of up to 50,000 yen.

4. Don't ride your bike when you've been drinking

If you drink alcohol and then ride a bicycle, it is considered "drinking driving."
You should never ride a bicycle if you have been drinking alcohol.

Drinking and driving a bicycle is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 1 million yen.

5. Wear a helmet

From April 1, 2023, wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle will become mandatory.
* Obligation to make an effort: Make an effort to do so as much as possible.

Everyone, regardless of age, is required to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle.

Other rules to be aware of when riding a bicycle in Japan

In "Five Rules for Safe Bicycle Use," we introduced basic bicycle traffic rules.

There are other rules you need to be aware of.

For example, the following seven riding techniques are things you should avoid.
This is because it could be a nuisance to others and could lead to accidents, injuries, and other dangers.

①Run side by side

Bicycles ride in a single file.
It is against the law to ride side by side.

If you are caught riding alongside another vehicle, you may be subject to a fine or penalty of up to 20,000 yen.
* A fine is a type of punishment that requires the payment of a fine of between 1,000 and 10,000 yen.

②Ride with two people

Riding two people on a bike is generally prohibited.
This is a violation of the law and may result in a penalty or fine of up to 20,000 yen.

However, it is okay for children who have not yet entered elementary school to ride in child seats.

3. Getting on the train while looking at your smartphone

It is dangerous to ride while looking at or talking on your smartphone.
Driving with one hand can cause you to lose your balance.

In addition, people will become less attentive and fail to check for safety.

If you ride a bicycle while looking at your smartphone, you may be subject to a fine or penalty of up to 50,000 yen.

4. Ride while wearing earphones

It is also dangerous to ride while listening to music with earphones.
Because they cannot hear the sounds around them, they fail to check for safety and may bump into people or objects.

If you ride a bicycle while wearing earphones, you may be subject to a fine of up to 50,000 yen.

⑤Riding with an umbrella

Holding an umbrella forces you to drive with one hand, which can make you lose your balance.
Also, umbrellas make it difficult to see your surroundings, which increases the risk of accidents.

When riding a bicycle on a rainy day, be sure to drive safely, such as by wearing a raincoat.

There are umbrella stands available for sale that can attach umbrellas to bicycles, but depending on how they are used, they may be illegal.

⑥Riding someone else's bicycle without permission

Even if someone else has an unlocked bicycle, you should not ride it without permission.
Riding someone else's bike without permission is a crime.

⑦ Park your bike wherever you like

Bicycles can be parked in the bicycle parking area.
If you park your bike anywhere other than a bicycle parking area, the local government office may take it away.

You can collect it from a designated location, but there may be a fee.

What happens if you repeatedly ride your bike dangerously in Japan?

In Japan, people who repeatedly ride bicycles in a dangerous manner are given "bicycle driver training courses."

These are "dangerous riding practices."

• Ignoring traffic lights
• Entering a railroad crossing when the alarm is sounding
• Not stopping at stop signs
• Not following the rules when riding on the sidewalk
• The brakes on my bike are broken
• Drink driving
• Driving with an umbrella in one hand
• Driving while looking at your smartphone, etc.

Anyone who has committed a traffic violation or caused a traffic accident due to dangerous riding habits must take a "bicycle driver training course" if they have committed two or more traffic violations or caused two or more accidents within a three-year period.

[Class time and fees]
3 hours 6,000 yen

If you do not take the bicycle driver training course, you will be subject to a fine of up to 50,000 yen.

Find out about the number and trends of bicycle accidents in Japan

Bicycle accidents are increasing in Japan.

According to data from 2022, approximately 79.3% of bicycle accidents resulting in death or serious injury are accidents with motor vehicles.
Approximately 63.7% of accidents occur at intersections.

*Reference: Created based on the National Police Agency's "Status of Bicycle-Related Accidents"​

Accidents can occur both in cars and on bicycles.
Many accidents are caused by cyclists not stopping at stop signs or not obeying traffic signals.

There are also many accidents involving collisions between bicycles or with other people.

You can even die in a bicycle accident.
Most of these injuries are caused by injuries sustained to the head.
Be sure to wear a helmet to protect your head.

It is also important to take out bicycle insurance and register your bike for theft prevention!

In the worst case scenario, a bicycle accident can result in death.
In addition, in the event of a traffic accident, you may have to pay a large amount of compensation for damages*.
*Money to compensate the victim for the damage caused

The cost may be more than you can afford, so it's a good idea to get bicycle insurance.
If you have bicycle insurance, you can be guaranteed compensation in the event of an accident and receive medical expenses for injuries (the amount of compensation guaranteed varies depending on the type of insurance).

Also, be sure to register your bicycle to prevent it from being stolen.
Theft prevention registration is a registration of the bicycle owner's information.

Registering your bicycle for theft prevention will make it less likely to be stolen.
Also, if it is stolen and found, the owner will be contacted.

When receiving or giving away a bicycle, you will need to change the registration.

Remember the highway signs

On rare occasions, foreigners may accidentally enter the expressway and get into an accident.
It is very dangerous to ride a bicycle on the highway.
Be sure to remember the highway signs so you don't get on the wrong side of the road.

▼Highway guide signs

Things to be careful of when using vehicles other than bicycles

Besides bicycles, motorcycles are another convenient form of transportation.

You need a license to drive a motorcycle.
In Japan, anyone aged 16 or over can obtain a motorcycle license.

There are also some manners and things to be aware of when using public transportation such as trains and buses.
This article explains how to ride the trains and buses, so be sure to read it.
Don't know how to ride Japanese trains? Learn how to buy tickets and the process
I don't know how to ride a Japanese bus! How to get on and off, and etiquette

Summary: There are rules for riding a bicycle! Be aware of dangerous riding patterns and accident trends to ride safely

Bicycles are convenient and easy to ride, but you must obey traffic rules.

The basic traffic rules, the "Five Rules for Safe Bicycle Use," can result in fines or even imprisonment if violated.

Driving with one hand on a smartphone, riding with earphones in, or driving while holding an umbrella are also dangerous and should not be done.

Drivers who repeatedly engage in dangerous driving will be required to take a bicycle driver training course.

Bicycle accidents are on the rise, some of which have resulted in deaths.
Follow traffic rules, wear a helmet and ride safely.

For your safety, we recommend that you take out bicycle insurance.