[Q.] What is the violation of riding a motorcycle on a road where motorcycles are prohibited?
[A.] Violation of the no-entry rule will result in 2 violation points, and a fine of 6,000 yen for motorcycles.
What makes motorcycle no-entry zones tricky is that each zone has different restrictions on the types of motorcycles they are subject to. Because restrictions vary by location, such as mopeds only, motorcycles under 125cc, motorcycles under 250cc, or motorcycles of all engine sizes, it can be difficult to grasp the trends, and there’s a high risk of accidentally entering a no-entry zone. Therefore, it’s best to be aware that any motorcycle could be subject to restrictions.
Of course, there are “No Motorcycles Allowed” signs before sections where motorcycles are not permitted, so if you drive carefully, you will know in advance even if you are passing through an area for the first time. However, if you accidentally enter an area and are caught by a police officer, you will be charged with “violating the no-entry rule” and will be subject to the following penalties, so be careful.
[Penalties for violating road bans (for motorcycles)]
Penalty points: 2 points
Penalty fee: 6,000 yen for motorcycles, 5,000 yen for mopeds
Example of a “No Motorcycles” sign
[Q.] Where are motorcycle-free zones most common?
[A.] Various locations, such as underpasses in large cities and bridges in tourist areas
Some riders may have had the experience of encountering a section where motorcycles are prohibited while touring, forcing them to take a detour. These sections can be found all over the country, and some of them are on roads leading to famous tourist spots, so even if you want to enjoy sightseeing at your touring destination, you may not be able to get there by motorcycle.
So, what kind of places are they actually common in? Here are some examples.
[Overpass/Underpass]
Overpasses and underpasses. Even when touring, especially when passing through urban areas, you will often come across areas where motorcycles are prohibited.
In Tokyo, the famous underpass where motorcycles are prohibited is the “Shinbashi Underpass (Tokyo Route 316)” that runs from National Route 15 (Daiichi Keihin) in Shinbashi to Showa-dori (the photo shows the area near the entrance). All motorcycles are prohibited from passing through here.
[Bridges at tourist spots, etc.]
Even bridges have sections and places where motorcycles cannot pass. For example, there is the Yokohama Bay Bridge in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is also known as a tourist spot. This bridge has a two-level structure, with the upper level being a highway and motorcycles over 250cc can pass through. Meanwhile, the lower level is used as a general road, but motorcycles under 125cc (class 1 and class 2 mopeds) are not allowed to pass through.
Yokohama Bay Bridge
[Mountain passes in tourist areas]
Even mountain passes in tourist destinations have sections where motorcycles are prohibited. For example, the “Tsukuba Purple Line” (Prefectural Route 236, Tsukuba Park Nagai Line) is a convenient route to the ropeway leading up Mount Tsukuba (Ibaraki Prefecture), one of Japan’s 100 most famous mountains. There are several sections of this line where motorcycles are prohibited, including the former “Omote Tsukuba Skyline,” where all motorbikes, from mopeds to motorcycles, are prohibited from passing all day.
Mount Tsukuba is a tourist spot where you can climb to the summit by ropeway
↓Click here for more details
As mentioned above, there are various reasons for the restrictions on motorcycles in each no-two-wheel zone, as well as various conditions for the motorcycles that are subject to the restrictions. For more information, including how to find out in advance whether there are any roads like this at your touring destination, please check out the article linked below.
Why are motorcycles the only ones not allowed? The trap of “no motorcycles” roads in tourist destinations and urban areas | Motor-Fan [Motor Fan] A media platform that distributes mainly automotive-related articlesWhere are motorcycle-free zones? There are many roads in Japan where cars (four-wheeled vehicles) can pass, but motorcycles (two-wheeled vehicles) cannot. When you go sightseeing on a tour, you may come across roads, bridges, tunnels, and bridges where motorcycles are prohibited.
