Overview
- Japan’s new system, which began in April, lets police fine cyclists aged 16 and up for traffic violations through an on-the-spot blue ticket.
- Miyagi Prefectural Police applied the system for the first time in the prefecture by fining a cyclist 5,000 yen for failing to stop.
- The rules cover 113 offenses with fines of 3,000 to 12,000 yen, including sidewalk riding where not allowed, holding an umbrella, and wearing earphones while riding.
- The National Police Agency says most cases will start with guidance or a warning, though using a phone while riding or operating a brakeless bike will draw immediate penalties, and alcohol or aggressive riding still triggers stricter red-ticket procedures.
- Reporters riding Tokyo streets found many cyclists feel unsafe in mixed traffic, which adds urgency to measures like the new one‑meter passing rule for cars and to calls for better lanes and life‑stage road‑safety education as accident data show steady yearly crashes and several deaths.