Japan's parliament on Friday passed a bill that will permit police to fine cyclists for minor traffic violations, as authorities respond to an increase in accidents that has come in line with a boom in cycle commuting that began during the coronavirus pandemic.
When the revised Road Traffic Act comes into force, police will be able to issue people aged 16 and older so-called blue tickets for about 115 relatively minor violations like ignoring traffic lights and stop signs.
Before the change, cyclists were only able to be issued with red tickets for some 20 serious offenses, including riding while heavily intoxicated. The red tickets require investigations that can lead to criminal procedures, creating a burden for both police and the offender.
The amended law expanded the range of red ticket offenses to include cycling above the established road alcohol driving limit or posing a danger to traffic by using a mobile phone while riding.
Blue ticket fines are expected to range between around 5,000 yen ($32) and 12,000 yen.
If convicted, those found cycling under the influence and issued a red ticket could be subject to imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of 500,000 yen, and those cycling while using a phone could be given a prison term of up to one year or a 300,000 yen fine.
The revised law also requires drivers to slow to a safe speed when passing a bicycle heading in the same direction, while cyclists are required to keep the left of the lane.
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