Regarding malicious traffic violations by bicycles, the Metropolitan Police Department has established a policy to issue and arrest traffic tickets that are subject to criminal punishment, so-called "red tickets", even for violations that have been limited to "warnings".

In response to a series of accidents caused by bicycle traffic violations such as ignoring traffic lights, we are planning to strengthen crackdowns at the end of this month.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, while the number of traffic accidents in Tokyo is declining, the percentage of accidents involving bicycles is increasing year by year, accounting for 43.6% of the total last year.



Furthermore, more than 78% of deaths and serious injuries were caused by traffic violations on the bicycle side.



Until now, the Metropolitan Police Department has issued a "warning" for bicycle violations using a special card that does not entail penalties, and a traffic ticket that is subject to criminal punishment, a so-called "red ticket", for particularly malicious violations. I've been cracking down.



However, since accidents are still occurring one after another, we have decided to strengthen the crackdown at the end of this month.



Specifically, traffic tickets will be issued for serious violations of the four categories of


ignoring traffic lights ,


stopping temporarily , driving on the


right side


, and walking on sidewalks without slowing down


, even in cases that were previously given a "warning." It means to deliver and prosecute.



Once a traffic ticket is issued, it is sent to the public prosecutor's office and treated as a criminal offense, and if you are repeatedly arrested within a certain period of time, you are obliged to attend a course.



The Metropolitan Police Department wants to promote the appropriate use of bicycles through these measures.

There are also voices calling for stronger crackdowns in Tokyo

We asked about the popularity of bicycles in recent years and the current situation of traffic violations in Tokyo.



Among them, in the business district of Minato-ku, Tokyo, many people in suits were seen riding bicycles early in the morning.



A 28-year-old office worker said, ``Since my wife is pregnant, I started commuting by bicycle a few months ago to avoid traveling on crowded trains because of the risk of being infected with the new coronavirus. My commuting time hasn't changed much, and I think it's good because it helps me get rid of my lack of exercise."



In addition, a 61-year-old civil servant man said, ``I used to commute by bicycle since I was young, but I feel that the number of people using bicycles has increased since the spread of the new corona infection. I feel more refreshed when I commute while looking at the scenery outside."



On the other hand, there have been a series of traffic violations involving bicycles, and in front of JR Ueno Station, several bicycles were seen ignoring red lights and speeding on sidewalks.



Regarding these violations, a man in his 40s who was walking with his 1-year-old daughter in a stroller said, ``When I was walking with my daughter on the sidewalk, I almost collided with a speeding bicycle. Pedestrians should always have priority on sidewalks, but if you are pushing a stroller, you won't be able to avoid it immediately, so I try to move to the side of the road."



In addition, an 82-year-old man living in Tokyo said, ``When I was walking on the sidewalk about two months ago, I was hit by a bicycle from behind and fell, hitting my left arm and head hard. Even now, I still go to the hospital regularly because of that accident.Recently, I see a lot of people riding bicycles while looking at their smartphones, but I'm worried that a big accident will happen. , I want the police to crack down firmly."