[Q1] Is it a violation to ride a motorcycle in a blue “bicycle only” lane?
[A1] Violation of traffic division
The type of lane that has the words “Bicycles Only” written in white, bicycle symbols, and arrows painted on it in blue is officially called a “normal bicycle lane.” This is a lane where bicycles are legally required to ride.
As you probably know, when riding on public roads, bicycles basically need to ride on the road, just like motorcycles and cars. In particular, on roads with lanes, bicycles basically need to ride on the left side of the road (riding against the flow of traffic is not allowed).
Conversely, can two-wheeled vehicles, or so-called motorcycles, ride in regular bicycle lanes? The answer is no, not only motorcycles, but also mopeds (motorized bicycles) and four-wheeled vehicles are prohibited. In particular, motorcycles tend to try to slip through traffic jams, but if they do ride through, they will be in violation of the traffic classification and will be subject to enforcement.
[Points and fines for traffic lane violations]
Points: 2 points
. Fines: 7,000 yen for motorcycles, 6,000 yen for mopeds (9,000 yen for regular cars).
An example of a blue lane marked “Bicycles Only.” Officially, it is called a “Regular Bicycle Lane.”
[Q2] Can I ride a motorcycle through white bicycle signs or blue arrows at intersections?
[A2] It’s not a violation, but there are some things to be aware of.
On the other hand, the white bicycle marks and arrows on the left side of the road are called “bicycle navigation marks,” and the blue arrows at intersections and other locations are called “bicycle navigation lines.”
Bicycle navigation mark
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Bicycle Navigation Line
These indicate the sections of the road where bicycles should be ridden and the direction in which they should proceed in order to ride safely. Bicycle navigation marks are mainly located on the left side of straight roads, and bicycles should generally ride along these lines. Also, at intersections with bicycle navigation lines, when making a two-stage right turn, for example, bicycles should ride along the blue arrow.
However, unlike regular bicycle lanes, these signs are not stipulated by law. They are merely “guidelines” for safe road use, and even if a motorbike or car passes through them, it is generally not considered a violation.
However, you should be careful of the risk of coming into contact with a bicycle. Unlike motorcycles, wearing a helmet is mandatory for bicycles, and few people wear protective gear. If a bicycle comes into contact with a motorcycle, it could lead to a serious accident, including serious injury. For this reason, it is best to avoid riding motorcycles through bicycle navigation marks and bicycle navigation lines as much as possible.
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There are other traffic rules and things to be aware of that may surprise you, such as “regular bicycle lanes,” “bicycle navigation marks,” and “bicycle navigation lines.” Please refer to the article linked below for more details.
Can I ride a moped in a “bicycle-only” lane on the side of the road? | Motor-Fan [Motor Fan] A media platform that mainly distributes automobile-related articlesBlue “bicycle lanes” are prohibited for all motorcycles. First, there are those types of blue lanes with the words “Bicycles Only” written in white, bicycle symbols, and arrows. These are also called “bicycle lanes,” but their official name is “regular bicycle lanes.” […]
