【動画】自転車の青切符、もうめちゃくちゃ…
[Video] The introduction of 'blue tickets' for bicycles has led to widespread confusion and a sense of 'it's a complete mess' among those on the ground. Previously, bicycle violations resulted in 'red tickets' (criminal penalties), but now, with blue tickets imposing administrative fines, both users and police are scrambling to adapt.
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What is "Blue Ticket" (Traffic Offense Notification System)?
The application of "blue tickets" to bicycles marks a significant shift in traffic rules, having fully commenced on March 1, 2024. Previously, bicycle traffic violations, if caught red-handed by a police officer, universally led to "red tickets" (criminal proceedings), potentially resulting in fines or even imprisonment for serious offenses. However, with the introduction of blue tickets (Traffic Offense Notification System), relatively minor violations like ignoring traffic lights, failing to stop at stop signs, or not slowing down on sidewalks, now allow offenders to avoid criminal proceedings by paying an administrative fine. This system, similar to those for cars and motorcycles, aims to reduce the administrative burden on the police and enhance safety awareness among cyclists. Specifically, 97 out of 113 types of violations are subject to blue tickets, with fines ranging from approximately 5,000 to 12,000 yen. Nevertheless, this system's introduction has led to misunderstandings, with some users thinking penalties have become lighter, while many others feel that previously ambiguous enforcement has suddenly become strict. Particularly, determining what constitutes a violation and what doesn't, especially for dangerous behavior on sidewalks where bicycle riding is permitted, is difficult for officers on the scene, frequently causing confusion and friction between police and users.
What are "Special Small Motorized Bicycles"?
"Special Small Motorized Bicycles" (Tokutei Kogata Gendōki-tsuki Jitensha) is a new vehicle category established by the revised Road Traffic Act, effective July 1, 2023, primarily covering electric kick scooters. The creation of this new category is one reason why bicycle traffic rules feel "chaotic." Special Small Motorized Bicycles refer to electric mobility devices with a maximum speed of 20 km/h or less and a rated output of 0.6 kW or less, which can be operated without a license by individuals aged 16 or older. While they are generally required to ride on roadways, they are allowed to ride on sidewalks as an exception if their maximum speed is limited to 6 km/h. However, this "sidewalk riding allowed" point is causing confusion among pedestrians and bicycle users. These devices are often mistaken for electric-assisted bicycles, which look similar, and there's an increasing number of disputes regarding riding speed and etiquette on sidewalks. For example, situations frequently occur where a fast-moving bicycle tries to overtake a slow-moving Special Small Motorized Bicycle on a sidewalk, or pedestrians are startled by their sudden approach. The lack of sufficient understanding regarding where and how each type of vehicle should be ridden is contributing to the overall complexity and confusion of the traffic environment. The fact that its introduction coincided with the bicycle blue ticket system highlights the current situation where traffic infrastructure and user awareness have not caught up with the legal reforms.
What are "Light Vehicles" (Bicycles)?
Under the Road Traffic Act, bicycles are classified as "light vehicles." This legal definition is the root cause of the current "chaotic" situation and is a point that many bicycle users are now forced to re-recognize. As light vehicles, bicycles, like cars and motorcycles, are generally required to use roadways and obey traffic rules such as traffic lights and stop signs. Sidewalk riding is strictly limited to exceptional cases (e.g., where signs permit, for those under 13, over 70, or with disabilities), and even then, riders must proceed slowly to avoid obstructing pedestrians. Historically, Japanese society widely perceived bicycles as "for sidewalks" or "minor rule violations are overlooked." However, in recent years, an increase in bicycle accidents and dangerous riding has become a social issue, leading to strengthened police enforcement. Especially after the introduction of blue tickets, even minor violations that were previously often ignored are now strictly enforced, re-emphasizing the principle that "bicycles are vehicles." Nevertheless, the road infrastructure in many cities is not adequately suited for bicycle road use, with a lack of dedicated bicycle lanes and many dangerous traffic situations. Consequently, users express dissatisfaction and confusion, stating that "it's unreasonable to strictly apply rules when the infrastructure hasn't caught up."