Cycling Safety & Cycling Laws
Students and parents are reminded that students should wear cycle helmets when they ride to and from school. In elementary parents sign to say that they will comply with this requirement. The law in Japan requires those under 13 to wear cycle helmets for safety sake. For your information in early August 2015 there was a very nasty accident of two cyclists on the pathway just outside school. Neither cyclist was wearing a helmet which I am sure had they done so would have reduced their injuries.
On June 1, 2015 the law regarding cycling in Japan was tightened. It is now against the law to ride with earplugs in the ears as that can cause accidents.
“Under the new law, any cyclist who is caught riding through a red light or violating other traffic regulations more than twice in a period of three years, will be required to take a safety course before being allowed back on the streets. The course lasts for three hours, and costs the participants 5,700 yen. Anyone who does not attend the course after receiving the order will be fined up to 50,000 yen.
There are 13 traffic violations covered by the new laws.
Riding through/ignoring traffic signals
Passing under a railway crossing gate
Not stopping at stop signs
Violating traffic regulations while riding on sidewalks
Riding with malfunctioning/non-working brakes
Riding a bicycle while intoxicated
Entering off-limit areas
Riding too slowly on sidewalks and obstructing pedestrian flow
Not following traffic lines
Riding onto pedestrian-only areas of sidewalks
Entering crosswalk without green-light to do so
Not paying attention to other pedestrians and or cyclists due to using mobile devices
Violating regulations when at circular cross-walks”