Traffic Rules

Basic Rules for Safe Cycling

• Five Rules for Safe Use of Bicycles
• *Revised in November 2022

• • 1
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  • Ride on the left-hand side of roadways; use sidewalks only in exceptional cases, yielding to pedestrians

    In the Road Traffic Act of Japan, bicycles are categorized as “light road vehicles.” Accordingly, they must be ridden on roadways as a rule, and the use of sidewalks must be limited to exceptional cases. Bikes must be ridden on the left side of the road, along the edge of the roadway. Riding on sidewalks is permitted in exceptional cases, such as when indicated to do so by a road sign or marking, or when unavoidable given the road or traffic conditions. Even in such cases, however, cyclists must ride along the side adjacent to the roadway at a speed that would allow them to stop immediately whenever they need to, and the right-of-way must be yielded to pedestrians on sidewalks.
    Do not ride on the right-hand side of the road as you may collide against oncoming bikes or motorcycles.

• • 2
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  • Obey traffic lights and stop signs at intersections, and confirm safety

    At intersections with traffic lights, you must obey the traffic lights for automobiles. If there are traffic lights with a sign that says, “for pedestrians and bicycles only,” then follow those traffic lights. If there are stop signs, obey them. When crossing or joining a major road from a minor road, or when passing through an intersection with poor visibility, make sure it is safe to do so.

• • 3
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  • Turn on lights at night

    Lights not only illuminate the road ahead, but they also make you visible. Riding without lights turned on at night is dangerous as it makes you less visible to oncoming traffic.

• • 4
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  • Riding under the influence of alcohol is prohibited

    You will be subject to penalties or fines for riding a bike under the influence of alcohol. It may lead to a major accident, so do not ride a bike after drinking alcohol.

• • 5
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  • Wear a helmet

    Helmets can help mitigate head injuries, the most common fatal injuries in bike accidents. Be sure to wear your helmet in case you get involved in an accident.

    • * In Japan, cyclists are required to make an effort to wear a helmet when riding a bike.
• • 6
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  • Obey safety rules

    Refrain from biking at excessive speeds. Also, do not ride double or use your smartphone when riding a bicycle.

• • 7
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  • Ride in a line, not in parallel

    When two cyclists ride side-by-side on the road, one of them will end up traveling near the center of the road. This is dangerous and should be avoided.

• • 8
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  • Take out bicycle liability insurance

    In traffic accidents involving a bicycle, the cyclist may be held liable for a large amount of damages in some cases. You should take out bicycle liability insurance in case of an accident.

• • 9
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  • Give consideration to pedestrians and drivers

    Roads are for everyone. Give consideration to others when traveling on the road.

Basic Knowledge of Road Signs

• For bicycles and pedestrians only
  
  This indicates a road where only bikes and pedestrians can travel.

  Watch your speed when traveling these roads as pedestrians use them, too.

• Stop
  
  Stop at the stop line.

  At an intersection with this sign, you must stop at the stop line and look right and left to confirm safety before starting again.

• Slow down
  
  Reduce speed so that you can stop immediately.

  On roads with this sign, you must travel at a reduced speed so that you can stop immediately whenever you need to.

• Vehicles do not enter
  
  Motor vehicles are not allowed to enter.

  Motor vehicles cannot enter beyond the point where this sign is placed.

Reference