From April 1st, bicycle traffic rules will be revised, and a “blue ticket” system will be introduced, which will impose fines for traffic violations.
A survey conducted with experts revealed numerous violations in urban areas. The main violations and their corresponding fines are as follows:
Running a red light/driving on the wrong side of the road (against traffic): 6,000 yen
Failure to stop at a stop sign / Driving the wrong way on a one-way street: 5,000 yen
Use of smartphones, etc. (while driving): 12,000 yen
Parallel driving (two vehicles driving side-by-side): 3,000 yen
Bicycles are considered “vehicles” and are generally required to travel on the road, but they are permitted on sidewalks if there is a sign. However, on sidewalks, cyclists must travel slowly near the road and obstruct pedestrians, which is a violation.
Also, on one-way streets, if there is a supplementary sign that says “except bicycles,” it is not considered going the wrong way, but quick judgment is required. There is only a short time left until the start. To prevent unexpected expenses and accidents, let’s make sure we understand the rules correctly and drive safely.
