New Fines For Texting and Using Head Phones While Cycling in Kyoto

京都で「ながら自転車」罰金

Kyoto will introduce fines for cyclists who text or use a cell phone while cycling.

In addition, cycling while using headphones or earbuds "at high volume that prevents one from hearing the sounds around one" also will result in penalties.

According to news reports, both of these behaviors will face fines of "up to 50,000 yen" (about $500).

We support this move but are skeptical that, short of causing an accident, few cyclists will ever be stopped and fined for cell phone use or listening to music while cycling.


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Fines for Tokyo Cyclists

東京自転車信号無視罰金

Oh dear, the police are at it again.

With all the problems in the universe, the cops are picking on cyclists again.

Yes, yes, yes, we know that in Japan cycling on the sidewalks is de rigueur, that cluelessness is the norm, that safety for cyclists and pedestrians needs to be improved.

However, to repeat for the umpteenth time, if there were a decent infrastructure - bike lanes, separated paths on wide city sidewalks - the cyclist "problem" would mostly disappear.

According to reports in the Japanese media, repeat offenders - i.e., cyclists that run lights more than once - could be fined and indicted by prosecutors.

The Metropolitan Police Department has been issuing fines and for the worst offenders sent papers to prosecutors. However, the prosecutors have ignored those.

From now on, the prosecutors are going to follow through.

"Malicious cyclists" face fines of up to 50,000 yen (USD $565) and the offense will go on a criminal record.

Fair enough. Cyclists can be dangerous.

However, in more cycling friendly countries, governments encourage cycling, provide the infrastructure and incentives.

In Japan, with its car industry and at times punitive culture, the opposite is true.


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