Japan Enacts Strict Laws Targeting Distracted Cyclists

Authorities have stepped up measures to regulate the increasing number of cyclists and cut down on accidents, particularly those involving mobile phone use while riding.

Japan has taken a hard stance against distracted cycling with the introduction of stringent new laws. Effective Friday, cyclists caught using mobile phones while riding may face jail time of up to six months or hefty fines reaching 100,000 yen (approximately $655 or £508). This legislative move follows a notable increase in cycling accidents, especially since 2021 when people turned to cycling as a preferred means of transport during the pandemic.

Alongside the crackdown on phone use, the revised road traffic law also intensifies penalties for riding under the influence of alcohol. Offenders could receive a sentence of up to three years in prison or fines as steep as 500,000 yen (around $3,278 or £2,541).

Just hours after the new regulations took effect, the Osaka authorities reported five violations, which included two individuals found riding bikes while intoxicated; fortunately, no injuries occurred from these incidents. In 2023 alone, over 72,000 bicycle accidents were logged in Japan, constituting over 20% of the nation’s total traffic incidents. Alarmingly, just in the first half of 2024, there was a record one fatality and 17 serious injuries stemming from cyclists using their phones—marking the highest tally since the monitoring began in 2007.

Data from the police indicates a significant trend as well: from 2018 to 2022, there were 454 reported accidents caused by cyclists on their phones, reflecting a staggering 50% increase compared to the previous five years. In response to these alarming statistics, the enforcement of these new regulations is part of a broader safety campaign that has already mandated helmet usage for cyclists and permitted police to impose fines for traffic violations. As Japan moves to bolster cyclist and pedestrian safety, these measures represent a proactive effort to address the growing concern around road traffic incidents involving bicycles.