crime

Police report 9,133 cycling violations since new law went into effect

24 Comments

Police nationwide reported a total of 9,133 dangerous cycling incidents since a revision of the Road Traffic Law aimed at curbing bicycle traffic violations and accidents was introduced in June 2015, the National Police Agency announced in a report this week.

According to the report, the 9,133 cycling violations were recorded for the period between June 2015 and the end of January this year, which marked half a year since the new law went into effect.

The highest number of violations was observed in Osaka, with a total of 3,069 cases, followed by 2,281 in Tokyo and 954 in Hyogo Prefecture. The only prefecture where no violations were recorded was Fukui, Sankei Shimbun reported.

In regards to types of violations, the most common were ignoring traffic signals, which accounted for 3,891 incidents –– over 40% of all violations. The second highest was passing under a railway crossing gate (2,232) and causing an accident as a result of using a smartphone or other devices while cycling, which accounted for a total of 1,152 cases.

Eight men in Osaka and Tokyo were ordered to undergo a safety course before being allowed back on the streets, as a result of repeated violations, the NPA revealed.

The new law enforces sanctions against cyclists who violate traffic regulations more than twice, including requiring them to take safety courses and pay fines in case of continuous violations and disrespect for the law and regulations.

There are 13 traffic violations covered by the new law, including riding through/ignoring traffic signals, riding onto pedestrian-only areas of sidewalks, passing under a railway crossing gate, not stopping at stop signs and riding with malfunctioning brakes.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

24 Comments
Login to comment

Eight men in Osaka and Tokyo were ordered to undergo a safety course before being allowed back on the streets, as a result of repeated violations, the NPA revealed. -

Right, 8 repeaters out of over 9,000 violations reported. Once again the keystones out to make the statistics work in their favor.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

I reckon I could find 9133 drivers violating seat belt, mobile phone, and 'TV on the navigation' rules in less than a week, at just one intersection in my relatively small city.

17 ( +19 / -2 )

This "law" is fine and all, but what about the bigger issues with drivers? No seatbelts, no child seat, obstruction of drivers view (stuffed toys hanging from rear view mirror) indication, I can go on. Am I the only one who thinks this is a bigger issue than bike riding laws?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I know someone who has gotten both yellow and red cards that the cops give out every time someone has violated the rules. He said that there is no financial penalty; just getting those red and yellow cards. Really silly. They think its a soccer match. I don't get it.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

No mention of lack of lights for evening riding . . .

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Riding your bicycle on a very cold windy rainy evening on a deserted road in the city at 2am , approaching the traffic lights and they just turn red, un be known to you you can't see the police hidden from view, you foolishly decide to ignore the lights, not because of bravado, but common sense, but all of a sudden the police appear, from where did they appear immediately cross your mind, but to no avail, then the procedure starts. Oh what a joy to live in Japan knowing that our police are keeping us safe.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I've been just about run over on the sidewalks at least 4 times by cyclists who presume to own the road and the police have to do Much More in my eyes,

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Its still legal to ride the wrong way down a road though........

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Its still legal to ride the wrong way down a road though........

Pretty sure this was covered by the new law too.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Kobe White Bar OwnerMar. 09, 2016 - 11:25AM JST Its still legal to ride the wrong way down a road though........

down a one-way street, yes. but if i see these morons doing it on a normal road then i set my course for a full on collision and force them to either get onto the sidewalk or move closer to the oncoming traffic to pass me. and of course i'm yelling bakayaro as we cross paths.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Well done flops! You got 9,000 penalties and a few bob in your money box, but what about the other 90% of violators? I had some mid-aged clown ride straight through a stop sign in front of me the other day and he looked at me as if I was being unfair by blasting the idiot with my horn and screaming at him to get off the frigging road! He looked at me approaching the intersection and just cruised on through the the stop sign being sure I would stop for him. I really don't think these penalty campaigns are successful. Most of the riders I see doing absolutely stupid crap like, riding on the wrong side of the road, texting, multitasking with umbrellas and cell phones, riding three abreast and the the ubiquitous idiots that just swing out of side streets actually have no idea they are doing anything illegal or dangerous. There seriously needs to be an education campaign on correct bicycle etiquette. Yeah, the repeat offenders have to go to a seminar, like drivers when they renew their licence, which is an absolute joke that nobody pays any attention to what-so-ever! Instead of making the police in charge of giving out fines to idiots that do not know any better they should be using that NHK station that everybody has to pay for to actually educate these mullets!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Ok ...

ignoring traffic signals 2.passing under a railway crossing gate (2, using a smartphone or other devices while cycling, 4.Not using night lite riding on sidewalk? parking bicycle in no parking bike zone

ALT:

not fighting territorial bike, sidewalk, and truck chimpiras dont pass by a koban or kobanite to get your legal bike registration checked every time if you are in a hurry. Dot park your bike by tire puncture gremlins , thieves, and seat slashers

I think I got it

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I had some mid-aged clown ride straight through a stop sign in front of me the other day and he looked at me as if I was being unfair by blasting the idiot with my horn

As far as he (or the police) is concerned he has right of way. We were told recently that a cyclist was quite within his rights to come flying at us out of a side street, so good job you didn't hit the guy.

We can't be too vigilant for Japan's moronic cyclists, be it as pedestrians, pedalling ourselves, or behind the wheel.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Actually my latest pet peeve is cyclists that dont use any brakes. What kind of dangerous bs is that?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

There are 13 traffic violations covered by the new law, including ... riding with malfunctioning brakes.

How do you stop someone with brakes that don't work? #cantsleeptonight

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Mary Poppins (using an umbrella) on a bike is my pet peeve.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The norm in Kyoto is about 5 cars going through each red light.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'd say yielding is enough for cyclists. they don't have to stop completely

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well done flops! You got 9,000 penalties and a few bob in your money box, but what about the other 90% of violators?

Do you honestly want to pay the tax increases required to hire enough police to catch ALL the violators every time they break a law? Didn't think so.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Police should fine more. There are tons of dangerous people out there, speeding up in your back and almost willing to collide with you it seems. you can't move on the side walks left to right or exit subways, without having one of those egoist who never use a ring to alert and ride their bicycle at excessive speed.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Citizen2012 Ringing your bell at a pedestrian in order to tell them to get out of the way is illegal.

Part of the problem is that the rules for bicycles are not consistent.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Eight men in Osaka and Tokyo were ordered to undergo a safety course before being allowed back on the streets, the NPA revealed.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have to sit a 3 hour safety course because I will be 70 years old soon and can't renew my driver license if I don't. I also had to sit a safety course of 2 hours because I forgot to renew my driver license straight away. I really did not violate anything.The place is run by muppets who like to punish. Oh, I forgot, they charge Yen 5,000 to bore me for 3 hours.

Anyway, cyclists would have to be the least law abiding of anyone on the road. They don't seem to fear the cops as they often race across red lights right in front of them. A habit that has increased immensely is the practice of riding against the traffic on 2 way or major streets. Also many no longer use their bicycle lights anymore. How many people see cyclists on their phones texting ? They do it anywhere, even on the busiest streets.

I think bicycles should have a number plate just like scooters and cars. I would never had thought such a thing before, but things are really getting out of hand. It think it would also cut down on bicycle thefts as well. Less bikes to N.Korea etc.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

One thing you all have to understand here. FACT: Police in Japan cannot multi task. If they are out checking for seat belt violators, they don't stop bicycle violators. If they are checking for illegal cell phone usage, they does stop suspected drunk drivers. It's the way they work here. This is not an opinion. This is first hand fact!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Does Fukui have a police force ?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites