Cyclists who use a mobile phone while riding in Japan could face up to six months in jail under tough new laws introduced on Friday.
Those who violate the revised traffic law can be punished with a maximum sentence of six months in prison, or a fine of 100,000 yen ($655; £508).
The number of accidents involving cyclists began to rise in 2021, as more people chose to ride bicycles instead of using public transport during the violence, according to local media. Authorities are now racing to control the passengers.
Apart from violating the use of the phone, the new laws also target cyclists who ride drunk, with penalties of up to three years in prison or a fine of 500,000 yen ($3,278; £2,541).
A few hours after the new rules came into force, Osaka authorities confirmed on Friday that they had recorded five offenders, including two men who were caught riding bicycles drunk. One of the men collided with another cyclist, but no injuries were reported.
Under the new laws, cyclists who cause accidents can be fined up to 300,000 yen ($2,000; £1,500) or jailed for up to a year.
The total number of road accidents across Japan may be decreasing, but bicycle accidents are increasing. More than 72,000 bicycle accidents were recorded in Japan in 2023, accounting for more than 20% of all traffic accidents in the country, according to local media.
In the first half of 2024 there was one death and 17 serious injuries in crashes involving cyclists using their phones – the highest number since police began recording such figures in 2007.
Between 2018 and 2022 there were 454 accidents caused by cyclists using phones, according to the police – a 50% increase from the previous five years.
The latest laws come amid a series of safety laws aimed at protecting the safety of commuters and pedestrians.
Last year, the authorities forced cyclists to wear helmets. In May, Japan’s parliament passed a bill allowing police to fine cyclists for traffic violations.
Unlike in many other countries, cycling on pavements is legal in Japan, and is a common practice.
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