Rules of the Road: Are the New Cycling Rules Harsh or Fair?

Cycling is a popular mode of transportation in Japan, whether for commuting or as a hobby. So it’s no surprise you’ll see many bicycles out and about. Unfortunately, not every biker is considerate or careful, leading to accidents where people are hurt or worse. To curb these incidents, Japan has announced changes to current biking rules that have everyone buzzing, including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Let’s look at these new rules of the road and how they’ll affect cycling in Japan.

What is the cycling culture like in Japan?

While you probably think of subways and buses when you think of public transit in Japan, cycling is also a big part of Japanese culture. Take, for example, the mama chari (mom’s bike) parents use to pick up kids and go out for groceries. Biking has been a big part of rural living, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, it also became popular in the big cities, and its appeal hasn’t decreased.

Cyclists in Japan follow the same rules as in other countries, except traffic is on the left side of the road. (This is very confusing for some Westerners!) Kids under 13 can ride on the sidewalks and should wear helmets, while people over 13 should ride on the road and do not have to wear helmets. All bikers should follow signs and lights like regular drivers and not bike while carrying anything, including umbrellas and cellphones.  

What are the new rules?

The National Police Agency (NPA) is implementing the blue ticket system, taking effect on April 1st, 2026, for cyclists aged 16 and older. It will be an addition to the yellow and red ticket systems currently in place, targeting road violations by bikers. Under current rules, one yellow ticket means a warning without a fine, while two yellow tickets mean a red ticket and a criminal prosecution. And over the past few years, there’s been an increase in red tickets handed out.

One of the most common violations is nagara-unten (literally “driving while”) – biking while using a cell phone! Under the new system, cyclists caught doing this would be fined 12,000 JPY ($82 USD). Other violations include riding on the “wrong side” of the road or on a pedestrian sidewalk (6000 JPY or $41 USD), riding without lights at night (5000 JPY or $34 USD), and using one bike for two cyclists (3000 JPY or $21 USD). 

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Why are they being implemented?

Japanese police hope the new blue tickets will significantly reduce accidents involving cyclists and other road users. In 2024, the NPA reported 51,564 incidents involving bicycles that led to criminal prosecution. Over 40% of these cases involved cyclists running red lights or ignoring stop signs. As of March 2025, there have been 28 serious injuries or fatalities due to cyclists using their cellphones.

New regulations came into effect in November 2024 to target nagara-unten specifically. Bikers caught on their phones will be fined 100,000 JPY ($687 USD) or jailed for six months. If an accident occurs, the penalties increase to 300,000 JPY ($2060 USD) or up to a year’s imprisonment. There are also new penalties for drunk cycling. Catching cyclists on their phones is difficult, so hopefully, these measures will deter people from using them.

What has been the reaction?

Reaction to the upcoming blue ticket system has been mixed. Some people praise the fines since they pressure cyclists to be more responsible. They point out that a bike is a vehicle like a car or truck and that its drivers should follow the rules of the road, or be punished for violating them, the same way that motorists currently are. That’s especially the case with nagara-unten and drunk cycling.

However, others, including the cycling community, believe the NPA focuses too much on bikers and not enough on infrastructure. In Japan, bike lanes are usually just painted lines and are often blocked by cars. This makes them unsafe for cyclists, who cannot use sidewalks or ride on the “wrong side” of the street. Instead of giving out tickets, bikers want better roads that are safe for everyone.

Are these new rules a good idea?

As someone who used to bike in the city, I find some fines excessive. On the one hand, I approve of the focus on nagara-unten, especially since cellphone use while driving continues to be a problem for all drivers. However, most other fines felt too high, mainly since nothing addresses drunk cycling.

While implementing an additional ticket system is a good idea, there should be a focus on improving roads and installing actual bike lanes, thereby reducing offenses like parallel riding or biking in pedestrian zones. There should also be an increased campaign to re-educate bikers, especially out-of-towners or foreigners moving into the bigger cities. That way, they’re aware of the rules of the road and not surprised by the penalties for these violations.

Cyclist safety in Japan continues to be an issue. Bicycle-related injuries and deaths have increased. In response, police are introducing a new system with stiff fines for certain violations. Some people think this will make bikers more accountable. Others believe bikers are punished too harshly when city infrastructure is to blame.

A mixture of discipline, education, and significant upgrades is needed to make urban areas safe for cyclists and, by extension, all road users. Do you agree with these new rules? Share your opinions respectfully in the comments.