Japan imposes fines for unsafe cycling, including phone use and umbrellas
Japan has begun enforcing stricter cycling rules, fining riders up to 12,000 yen for unsafe behavior such as using phones or riding with umbrellas.
- Asia
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 03:26 | 02 April 2026
Japan on Wednesday began enforcing new rules that penalize unsafe cycling behavior, including using a phone or holding an umbrella while riding.
Under the revised Road Traffic Act, police can fine cyclists deemed reckless up to 12,000 yen ($76), public broadcaster NHK reported.
The rules apply to riders aged 16 and older and were introduced after a record year of accidents involving pedestrians.
Under the amended law, police can bypass warnings and immediately issue fines for high-risk offenses, including looking at a screen mounted on a bicycle, according to Kyodo News.
Japan recorded 67,470 accidents involving cyclists last year, including 3,269 incidents involving both cyclists and pedestrians.
Fatal cases accounted for 356 of the total, while drunken cyclists were responsible for 87 cases that resulted in deaths or serious injuries.