Japan to Enforce Fines for Cyclists’ Traffic Violations Starting April 2026
Tokyo, April 24, 2025 — Starting April 1, 2026, cyclists in Japan aged 16 and older will face fines of up to 12,000 yen ($85) for traffic violations under a new penalty system, the National Police Agency (NPA) announced. The NPA drafted revisions to the Road Traffic Law’s enforcement order on April 24, outlining penalties for 113 types of violations, with the plan set to be finalized after a month-long public comment period beginning April 25.
The new system introduces blue traffic tickets for minor cyclist violations, allowing offenders to avoid criminal penalties by paying fines. Violations include using a smartphone while riding (12,000 yen), ignoring a red light (6,000 yen), riding on the wrong side of the road (6,000 yen), and riding side-by-side or with a passenger (3,000 yen). These penalties align with those for 50cc scooter drivers. More serious offenses, such as drunk riding or tailgating, will continue to result in red tickets and referral to prosecutors.
NPA Commissioner Yoshinobu Kusunoki emphasized the importance of compliance, stating, “Bicycles are vehicles and must follow traffic rules. Malicious or dangerous violations will face monetary penalties.” The NPA plans to focus enforcement on significant violations and cases where cyclists ignore police warnings, rather than penalizing all infractions. Public awareness campaigns will promote safe cycling ahead of the system’s launch.
The framework for cyclist penalties was included in the revised Road Traffic Law, effective since 2024, which previously applied only to motorists. The NPA reported 51,564 cyclist-related traffic violations sent to prosecutors in 2024, a 17% increase from 2023 and a 4.3-fold rise over the past decade. Of these, 42% involved ignoring stop signs, and 41% were for running red lights.
Cyclist-involved accidents have remained steady at approximately 70,000 annually, accounting for 23-24% of all traffic accidents in recent years, according to NPA data. Japan’s cycling culture has grown, particularly in urban areas, with 14.6% of commuters using bicycles in 2020, per the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The rise in accidents has prompted stricter regulations to enhance road safety.
The NPA’s initiative reflects broader efforts to address traffic safety amid Japan’s aging population and increasing bicycle use. Similar measures exist in countries like Germany, where cyclists face fines for violations such as running red lights (up to €180). The NPA aims to balance enforcement with education to ensure compliance while maintaining public support for cycling as a sustainable transport option.
