Starting Friday, cyclists in Japan face severe penalties for using mobile phones while riding, including potential jail time of up to six months under new road traffic regulations.
Under the revised law, individuals caught violating this rule can receive a maximum sentence of six months in prison or incur a fine of up to 100,000 yen ($655; £508). This move comes in response to a rise in cycling accidents, which began to escalate in 2021 as more individuals opted for bicycles over public transport during the pandemic. Authorities are now prioritizing the regulation of cycling behaviors.
Tougher Measures Against Drunk Cycling
In addition to prohibiting phone usage while cycling, the new legislation also addresses riders under the influence of alcohol. Offenders could face penalties of up to three years in prison or fines reaching 500,000 yen ($3,278; £2,541).
Just hours after the implementation of these new laws, authorities in Osaka reported five violations, including two individuals caught cycling while intoxicated. One of these cyclists had collided with another, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Rising Bicycle Accidents
Data from local media indicates that over 72,000 bicycle accidents occurred in Japan in 2023, comprising more than 20% of all traffic accidents nationwide. In the first half of 2024, there was one fatality and 17 serious injuries related to accidents involving cyclists using mobile phones, marking the highest figures since such statistics began being recorded in 2007.
From 2018 to 2022, police reported 454 accidents linked to cyclists using their phones, reflecting a 50% increase compared to the previous five-year period.
Broader Safety Regulations
These new rules are part of a larger set of safety measures aimed at protecting both cyclists and pedestrians. Last year, the government mandated that cyclists wear helmets, and in May, Japan’s parliament enacted a bill enabling police to impose fines on cyclists for traffic violations.
