Japan cyclists fined in 16,000 cases since rule change - NHKニュース

Japanese police issued nearly 16,000 tickets to cyclists for traffic violations in the six months after the country's ticketing system was expanded to cover bicycles in April.

Under the new system, police can issue so-called "blue tickets" to cyclists aged 16 or older for any of 113 types of traffic violations. Offenders are required to pay a fine.

The National Police Agency says 15,919 tickets were issued nationwide from April through September. The figure is preliminary.

Using a smartphone or otherwise being distracted while cycling accounted for 6,904 cases, or more than 40 percent of the total.

Failing to stop at designated points was the second most common violation, with 5,559 cases. It was followed by running red lights, with 1,374.

By prefecture, Tokyo recorded the most violations, at 2,977. Osaka came second with 2,853, followed by Saitama with 1,893 and Aichi with 1,725.

Meanwhile, the number of bicycle-related accidents declined by more than 9 percent from the same period last year. The agency says cyclists might have become more safety-conscious.

It adds that police will continue to crack down on dangerous cycling and riders who ignore officers' warnings.