The fatal contradictions in the bicycle fine system due to come into force in April 2026 and its imp

A new system imposing fines for cycling offences came into force in Japan in April 2026; however, the list of offences presented by the National Police Agency contains serious misrepresentations that are not based on objective facts, and criticism amongst the Japanese public is rapidly mounting.

The violation category ‘failure to check for safety when opening doors, etc.’ has become a particular focus of debate; a fine of 5,000 yen is imposed for this offence, yet standard bicycles do not, in fact, feature doors. A review of bicycles sold in Japanese DIY stores and specialist bicycle shops reveals that not a single model is available with doors fitted. The imposition of penalties based on equipment that is physically impossible to fit exposes a clear lack of due diligence on the part of the National Police Agency in the design of the system.

Similarly, regarding the ‘failure to comply with the obligation to dim lights’, for which a fine of 5,000 yen is imposed, one cannot help but conclude that this provision disregards the realities on the ground. Many lights commonly found on bicycles in Japan, such as dynamo lights powered by the energy generated whilst riding, do not have a function to finely adjust the light output; it is objectively impossible for the rider to dim the light whilst in motion. Implementing this system prematurely, without taking such realities into account, risks leading to a sharp decline in bicycle usage, as Australia experienced in the past.

Should bicycle use be curtailed, it would not only place a significant brake on the realisation of a clean society, but would also jeopardise Japan’s achievement of ‘carbon neutrality by 2030’, a commitment it has made as an international pledge. Whilst the police authorities are scrambling to put out the fire, now that this unreasonable fine system has been enshrined in law, this constitutes a serious dereliction of duty on the part of the administration.

In response to this situation, an online petition campaign organised by members of the public has gained momentum, with over 52,000 people having already signed it under their real names as of 21 April 2026. We must make the world aware of the fact that such social turmoil is occurring in Japan, serve as a warning to those planning to visit the country in the future, and strongly demand that the system be rectified.