Japan’s National Police Agency (NPA) is reinforcing that bicycles are classified as “light vehicles” under road traffic law, urging cyclists to adhere strictly to traffic rules like cars for safer roads. In 2024, bicycle-related accidents dropped by over 4,800 cases to 67,531, yet enforcement remains strict with 1.33 million warnings and 52,000 detections issued. A key upcoming change: from April 1, 2026 (Reiwa 8), cyclists aged 16 and older will face the traffic violation notification system (blue tickets) for violations.

Background

The NPA’s campaign emphasizes bicycles as “part of the car family,” requiring cyclists to follow vehicle rules such as driving on the left side of the road as the principle, with sidewalks only as an exception for specific groups (under 13, over 70, or those with physical impairments). The “Bicycle Safety Five Rules,” established by the Traffic Policy Council in November 2022, include: prioritizing roads over sidewalks (yielding to pedestrians), confirming safety at intersections, lighting up at night, prohibiting drunk cycling, and wearing helmets—especially for children.

Accident data highlights risks: 75% of fatal/severe bicycle crashes involve cars, with 55% being right-angle collisions due to cyclists’ failures like not checking safety or stopping. Police focus enforcement on high-risk areas, issuing guidance and penalties. Additional resources like posters and leaflets promote compliance amid growing urban cycling for sustainable transport.

Future Outlook

Starting April 2026, the Road Traffic Law amendment will apply the traffic contravention notice system to adult cyclists (16+), enabling fines via “blue tickets” without court for violations like signal ignoring or sidewalk speeding. This aims to boost accountability, potentially reducing accidents further and aligning Japan with global trends in regulated micromobility. For sustainable transport advocates, it underscores the need for better infrastructure—like dedicated bike lanes—to complement enforcement, fostering safer integration of cycling into urban mobility.

Sources

• Primary: Bicycles Are Part of the Car Family – NPA (Japanese)
• Efforts for Bicycle Manners and Safety | DOCOMO Bike
• Bicycle Rules & Manners | Smakita