Important changes to the rules and penalties for cyclists drinking or using smartphones!

As of November 2024, the road rules for cyclists have been updated. The penalties for both the use of smartphones while cycling and cycling while intoxicated (or adding someone in doing so) have both been adjusted and increased. In order to prevent incident to yourself and others please take note of the following updates and new rules.

Updated rules! 

Penalty for smartphone use

From November 2024 the use of smartphones, making phone calls or looking at your screen while cycling is banned under the Road Traffic Act and will result in penalization. (Unless coming to a stop first). Please note this may even include if you are not holding your phone. 

Prohibited acts

• Talking on your phone（Unless using a hands free attachment）.
• Looking at your phone screen.

※Unless coming to a stop first. 

Current penalties

• A fine of up to 50,000 yen

New penalties from November 2024

• Use of smartphone while riding

Up to six-month imprisonment or a fine of 100,000 yen

• Use of smartphone while riding leads to accident or road hazard

Up to one year imprisonment or a fine of 300,000 yen

Penalty for cycling intoxicated or adding someone in doing so.

The recent changes to the Road Traffic Act have made using a bicycle under the influence of alcohol a criminal offence. The rule which previously prohibited driving under the influence of alcohol (Either blood alcohol level of 0.3 or higher/or breath alcohol level of 0.15 or higher) now also applies to cyclists. Please note that these penalties will also apply to anyone who aides or assist in these actions. (For example, supplying alcohol or a bicycle to the cyclist).

Prohibited acts

• Cycling while under the influence of alcohol.
• Supplying alcohol to someone likely to ride while intoxicated.
• Supplying a bicycle to someone likely to ride while intoxicated.
• Riding together with someone who is under the influence of alcohol.

Penalties for cycling intoxicated from November 2024

• Cycling under the influence of alcohol

Up to three years imprisonment or a fine of 50,000 yen

• Supplying a bicycle to some likely to ride while intoxicated

Up to three years imprisonment or a fine of 50,000 yen

• Supplying alcohol to someone likely to ride while intoxicated

Up to two years imprisonment or a fine of 30,000 yen

• Riding together with someone who is under the influence of alcohol.

Up to two years imprisonment or a fine of 30,000 yen

※Note that even before these revisions alcohol consumption leading to impairment when cycling could be consider drunk driving and result in 5 years imprisonment or a fine of 1,000,000 yen.

Other prohibited acts！

As well as the prohibited acts above, please refrain from the following prohibited acts as they are dangerous and may lead to accidents. 

• Cycling with an open umbrella (up to 50,000 yen fine).
• Cycling while wearing earphones/headphones or while being hearing obstructed (up to 50,000 yen fine).
• Two or more people riding on one bicycle (up to 50,000 yen fine, unless the bicycle is legal designated by a Prefectural Public Safety Commission to do so).
• Riding side by side（Up to 20,000 yen fine, unless there are signs indicating並進可）

• Let’s all be safe, responsible and follow the rules while cycling ! ★

参考：https://www.gov-online.go.jp/article/202410/entry-6604.html#sakeyoi

政府広報オンライン「安心・安全 / 交通安全（2024年11月自転車の「ながらスマホ」が罰則強化！「酒気帯び運転」は新たに罰則対象に！）」を加工して作成。