Cyclists who use mobile phones while cycling in Japan could face up to six months in prison under strict new regulations introduced on Friday.
Violators of the revised road traffic law face a maximum penalty of six months in prison or a fine of 100,000 yen ($655; £508).
According to local media, the number of accidents involving cyclists began to increase in 2021, as more people chose to cycle instead of using public transport during the pandemic. Authorities are now racing to manage the riders.
Besides restricting phone use, the new regulations also target drunk cyclists, with penalties of up to three years in prison or a fine of 500,000 yen ($3,278; £2,541).
Hours after the new law took effect, Osaka authorities confirmed on Friday that they had recorded five violations of the new traffic law, including two men caught riding bicycles while intoxicated. drunk. While one of the men did collide with another cyclist, no injuries were reported.
According to local media, more than 72,000 bicycle accidents were recorded in Japan in 2023, accounting for more than 20% of all traffic accidents in the country.
In the first half of 2024, one person died and 17 were seriously injured in accidents involving cyclists using phones – the highest number since police began recording statistics in year 2007.
According to police, from 2018 to 2022 there were 454 accidents caused by cyclists using phones – a 50% increase compared to the previous five-year period.
The latest regulations come amid a raft of safety regulations aimed at protecting the safety of drivers and pedestrians.
Last year, the government made it mandatory for cyclists to wear helmets. In May, the Japanese Parliament passed a bill allowing police to fine cyclists for traffic violations.
