Asia - Cycling Laws in Japan

Anyone know where I can find some info about cycling laws here in Japan?

English is best, but I should be able to wade through something in Japanese as well (it'll just take some time withe the handy-dandy electronic dictionary... or a Japanese friend to dumb it down for me).

Thanks.

I did a quick Goggle and found there are some incredible fines for simple things. Be careful, be very careful, and do not pass any senior citizens.

BAAAA Humbug!!!!

Jumping red lights, wrong way riding, no lights. Japanese people do some crazy riding on their mamachari's!

Me and my friends do lots of riding, I commute 30km everyday through tokyo. Never had any problems. i avoid the no-cycling underpasses, not because of the law, but because they are usually scary as hell!!!

As long as you have a light and don't do anything too dangerous and you will be fine. i try to keep off the pavement, but if I have too, i keep it slow so i don't hit any pedestrians. I ride through cars, in any lane as long as I am keeping up with the traffic.

The only time I have been stopped by cops was because my light was switched off. Other times they are just stopping everyone checking for stolen bikes, as long as the bike you are riding is registered to your name then you will be fine. I have never heard of anyone I know being fined for anything.

dar! double post forum blues

Is it accepted to take the lane ? I assume lanes are narrower compared to USA, so it would make more sense to ride in the middle of it.

I've never seen someone take the middle of the road, but I often see scooters, motorcycles, and sometimes bikes on the shoulder to zip past stopped traffic.

Like The Don, I commute pretty much daily here in Tokyo and have to agree with him. However, over the past few months I have been hearing mumblings of people saying they are starting to crack down on bicycles running reds/stop signs etc. But, I have yet to know or see anyone who has been charged with anything other than having their mamachari trucked away from the train station.

The only thing I would highly advise against, especially as a foreigner is dont have a beer and cycle. It is apparently looked upon and ranks up there with driving under the influence. But again, never heard of anyone being charged with this.

Welcome to Japan, the land with (almost) no rules for bicycles:

In principle, only people under 14 or over 70 could ride their bikes on the sidewalks... Anyone enforcing that? Nay....

In principle, bicycles should be walked when crossing the streets through pedestrians crossings. Anyone enforcing that? Nay...

In principle, bicycles should follow the traffic directions... Anyone enforcing that? Nay...

Any bicycle not using the round-abouts? You bet!!!

Anyone using helmets? A very limited few...

Any concern about proper tyre pressure or the right height of the saddle? Only a limited few check those details...

Any problem in riding while listening to their headphones or while emailing on their cell-phones or... using their umbrellas? Not the least!

Japan, the country of the kamikaze bikers!

So, take care. And carry your alien registration card at all times!

Iosepus

I have been cycling with a mamachari without a light, without a reflector for like 8 months already. There has not been a single interception by a cop anyway.

By the way, bicycle is considered as 'light vehicle' which puts it in the same category as scooter. That may just be another 'in principle', but better take care.

Yup. There were a specific rule for bicycle riding in Japan (http://ja.forkus.com/docs/%20%E8%87%AA%E8%BB%A2%E8%BB%8A%E3%81%AE%E3%83%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%20.htm) but as per exec, bicycle considered as 'light vehicle' and nobody being forced to obey 100%.

Register your bicycle, make sure you have a light, don't get caught drunk. After that, the Japanese don't really enforce any bike laws. The number of old women riding on the wrong side of the road with umbrellas open on a sunny day is infuriating.