Starting in April 2026, Japan will finally introduce the “blue ticket” system for bicycle riders.
Until now, minor offenses usually ended with a warning or a polite scolding, but soon, cyclists aged sixteen and older will face fines equivalent to those imposed on motorcyclists. The law will be enforced uniformly throughout the country.
Violations and Fines (calculated at ¥150 = $1 USD)
| Violation | Description | Fine (JPY) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cell-phone use | Operating a smartphone while riding | ¥12,000 | ≈ $80 |
| Ignoring a red light | Running a red signal | ¥6,000 | ≈ $40 |
| Riding on the wrong side | Cycling against traffic | ¥6,000 | ≈ $40 |
| Riding on the sidewalk | Using a sidewalk where bicycles are prohibited | ¥6,000 | ≈ $40 |
| No headlight | Riding at night without a light | ¥5,000 | ≈ $33 |
| Holding an umbrella / earphones | One-handed or distracted riding | ¥5,000 | ≈ $33 |
| Riding side-by-side | Two bicycles riding abreast | ¥3,000 | ≈ $20 |
The Gap Between Principle and Reality
But there is a wide gap between principle and reality. The Street View image below shows a main road in Ehime Prefecture, where I live. If you explore Japan’s streets on Google Street View, you’ll see this isn’t cherry-picking —outside the major metropolitan areas, this kind of road is the norm.
As you can see, the portion of the roadway that a bicycle can realistically use is only about 20 to 30 centimeters wide. It’s unthinkable that an elderly person with a full front basket could safely pedal along this narrow edge after visiting the hospital or supermarket, watching a mother with a child seat wobbling just inches from passing cars is enough to make your heart stop.
The sidewalk looks far safer. Yet under this new law, that elderly woman riding peacefully on the sidewalk would be guilty of a “lane violation” and fined ¥6,000 ($40).
By the way, a fine of $40 may not sound substantial, but for those earning minimum wage, it’s crushing. The minimum wage in Japan is a little under $7 an hour. After working a full eight-hour day and deducting taxes and social insurance, one is left with roughly ¥6,000 in hand. In other words, a single fine can wipe out an entire day’s earnings. And many young people rely on bicycles precisely because they can’t afford to own a car.
The roadside is full of dangers
The space between the white line and the sidewalk is often sloped for drainage or uneven, making it hazardous even for skilled riders.
On the right side of the Street View image, you can see a grated drainage ditch — those metal mesh covers common across Japan. When it rains, they become as slippery as ice. When I was in high school, I once slipped on one of these grates, crashed, scraped my knee, and had to pick up my soaked textbooks in the rain — a pitiful memory that still lingers.
What the Police Say
I don’t believe the police will fine every offender they see. According to their official guidelines, the basic policy is to issue guidance or warnings first. Unless the behavior is particularly dangerous or malicious, enforcement will begin with education, not punishment. That approach sounds reasonable — but I still have one major concern.
The Risk of Being “Too Law-Abiding”
Once this law becomes widely known, I fear that the most conscientious people will make the most dangerous choices. The Japanese, as a whole, are earnest and sensitive to how others perceive them. No one wants to be thought of as disobedient or careless.
Out of fear of being judged, many will push themselves to ride on the roadway even when it’s clearly unsafe.
But in most parts of Japan, the roadways are narrow and not designed for bicycles. A sudden gust from a passing truck can easily knock a rider off balance, and one unlucky moment could mean a fatal accident. I worry that people will lose their lives precisely because they are trying to obey the law.
To be fair, I understand the rationale presented by the government. Accidents caused by texting while riding, unlit bicycles at night, and red-light violations are serious problems, and regulations are necessary. However, when it comes to enforcing the principle of “ride on the roadway,” that should only be mandated after the government ensures that the roadways themselves are safe for cyclists.
In countries like the Netherlands or the United States, where cycling infrastructure is well-developed, people can follow the law safely. In Japan, that fundamental premise simply doesn’t exist.
