**TLDR:** Starting April 1st 2023 the law will state that you have to wear a helmet when cycling, but as of right now there will be no repercussions if you don’t.
Hi y’all, quick fact summary on the upcoming helmet duty for cyclists in all of Japan.
(The translation is of my own doing and to be taken with scrutiny).
**The Changes**
Source: [https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kotsu/jikoboshi/bicycle/menu/helmet.html](https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kotsu/jikoboshi/bicycle/menu/helmet.html)
**道路交通法 第63条の11**
児童又は幼児を保護する責任のある方は、児童又は幼児を自転車に乗車させるときは、当該児童又は幼児に乗車用ヘルメットをかぶらせるよう努めなければならない。
**\[National\] Road Traffic Law Article 63 No. 11**
\[All\] Persons responsible for children or infants have to make an obligatory effort to have those children or infants wear an appropriate helmet when riding a bicycle.
\_\_\_\_\_Valid until March 31st 2023↑\_\_\_\_\_／／\_\_\_\_\_Valid from April 1st 2023↓\_\_\_\_\_
**道路交通法 第63条の11**
**第1項**
自転車の運転者は、乗車用ヘルメットをかぶるよう努めなければならない。
**第2項**
自転車の運転者は、他人を当該自転車に乗車させるときは、当該他人に乗車用ヘルメットをかぶらせるよう努めなければならない。
**第3項**
児童又は幼児を保護する責任のある者は、児童又は幼児が自転車を運転するときは、当該児童又は幼児に乗車用ヘルメットをかぶらせるよう努めなければならない。
**\[National\] Road Traffic Law Article 63 No. 11**
**Clause 1**
\[All\] Persons riding a bicycle have to make an obligatory effort to wear an appropriate helmet.
**Clause 2**
\[All\] Persons riding a bicycle have to make an obligatory effort to have persons wear an appropriate helmet which are riding the same bicycle.
**Clause 3**
\[All\] Persons responsible for children or infants have to make an obligatory effort to have those children or infants wear an appropriate helmet when riding a bicycle.
……………………………………………
What I have translated with „have to make an obligatory effort” is expressed in Japanese with the phrase 「よう努めなければならない」 or 「努力義務」. These legal terms mean that there are no legal, monetary, or other repercussions when not abiding by the content of a law.
**\[Toyohashi Law Office\]**
\[…\]罰則が設けられていません。つまり、違反しても懲役や罰金といった刑罰が科せられることもなければ、違反点数や反則金が科せられることはない
\[…\] There are no penalties. This means that there is no imprisonment, fine or other penalties like a point-based system upon violation.
Source: [https://toyohashi.vbest.jp/columns/criminal/g\_trafficaccident/5966/](https://toyohashi.vbest.jp/columns/criminal/g_trafficaccident/5966/)
**\[NHK\]**
\[…\] 着用は努力義務のため罰則などはありません \[…\]
Since wearing \[a helmet\] is an obligatory effort there are no penalties.
Source: [https://www.nhk.or.jp/shutoken/newsup/20221221c.html](https://www.nhk.or.jp/shutoken/newsup/20221221c.html)
Cheers and don’t work too hard until golden week.
26 comments
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I had thought children were required by law to wear a helmet. But in reality it’s just that the parent “make an effort”.
What is the point of this law?
When one of the millions of careless cyclists gets a head injury from an accident, will the driver still be responsible?
Genuinely curious how many people actually wear one. I wonder if the police actually will be stopping people and lecturing them about it as well. I think it would be difficult if literally like 95% of people still didn’t wear one.
I always think it’s funny when cyclists wear masks but not helmets. I can understand if it’s for hayfever but otherwise it’s a bit silly lmao
Well, it means that they’ll stop you all the time to ask you about your helmet and check your ID and so on over and over…
No penalty though for violations (yet).
“All cyclists will from then on be obligated to try to follow the ordinance, though there will be no punishment for violations.”
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20221220/p2a/00m/0na/067000c
I’ve never seen anybody over the age of 7 wear a helmet. Even a 500 yen fine would have made them rich beyond their wildest dreams.
I’m really happy about this and hope it will be enforced.
It could be a great opportunity for the fashion industry.
I had to look quite far to find me a helmet that doesn’t make me look like a space alien, and gives more “baseball cap” vibes; still ugly af, though.
Come on, fashion czars; give us some nice helmets, we may even buy them and wear them.
Laws like this are great for the police. It’s got nothing to do with helmets though. Now they have a legitimate reason to detain a shitload of people for a quick check over. Need a few more routine stops for your quota this week? Pull over a bike. I don’t like that cyclist’s face. Pull him over. See if you can get him for something. Feeling sabestsu? That Korean looking dude on a bike might be fun to harass. Now I’m not saying this is the law writers intent, or that Police are going to routinely use it as such, but it is definitely a useful tool if they wanted to do so.
God, what a stupid law. So instead of investing in proper infrastructure to improve safety for all parties like the Netherlands, they decided to add silly law. At least it is unenforceable. Imagine if police started enforcing it – a lot of people will just ride a car instead of bothering with helmets or ruining their hairstyle with helmets. Less bicycle ridership => less driver awareness => less safety.
As someone who owns 2 bicycle helmets and uses them for road cycling, I acknowledge that the ease of cycling and huge ridership makes this country relatively safe for cyclists. Anything that will decrease ridership is just plain stupid.
April fool’s? 😂
Btw is this applicable to all prefectures?
The purpose of this, though, is so insurance companies can deny claims for head injuries by cyclists who weren’t wearing helmets. It has nothing to do with public safety.
Is cheers for good work, OP.
I started cycling to work during the pandemic. I figured if I was cool with wearing a mask I shouldn’t judge wearing a helmet for protection either. It isn’t 100% – nothing is.
Shoot for the best outcome in a possibly bad situation 🤷🏼♀️
I hope that kids will at least start wearing the helmets with this.
Just doesn’t make any sense to me that parents let their young kids ride around on bikes without helmets.
Guys… This is clearly to determine liability in accidents. Since it is the law to make the best effort to wear a helmet, even in accidents where the bicyclist is at no fault, if he is seriously injured, that law can be cited to absolve other parties of liability for said injuries.
Essentially, if you cycle in Tokyo, it is up to you to not get your head busted open on the pavement.
Y’all missing the point.
Car hits you and your not wearing a helmet. You get a head injury.
“Sorry, we’re not covering that, the law states you have to be wearing a helmet and you were breaking the law. Therefore, we’re not paying out”
They know most people still aren’t gonna wear helmets, that’s why there’s no punishment. It’s just a way for insurance companies (who probably lobbied for this?) to save money.
Looked at getting a helmet in my area and they’re all sold out. I dread summer cycling in a helmet. I already arrive at work a fucking mess of sweat.
I used to wear a helmet when I rode my road racer (before someone pinched it). Now I just ride the family electric mamachari a few times a week.
I suppose I ride fast enough on busy roads to justify buying a helmet.
Get to make use of my skateboard helmet more regularly but will look at getting a bicycle one with more air vents before summer.
Stupid question to those upset:
Why don’t you want to wear a helmet?
What are the downsides?
Is this one of those “fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me” things?
Man, I gotta buy a soft helmet now too?
Oh, nice! Old people who are being driven around in cars all day made a law that won’t affect them but will negatively affect cycling culture? Because some lobbyists lined their pockets? Great, a big step forward! Thanks, useless politicians! Fucking idiots.
I just want to know if this is going to be a thing with Docomo bikes as well. When I cycle (on my actual road bike) I’m 100% wearing a helmet because I’m regularly hitting like 35mph down hills… but for docomo bike kinda the point of it is the spontaneity. I have no idea if I’m in the mood to cycle home from somewhere sometimes, and absolutely no way am I going to carry a helmet around everywhere just on the off chance…
It is so weird that the common sentiment is helmets are for children in Japan.
My kids were asking me why do they have to wear helmets while their peers don’t. I tell them that Japanese kids have much tougher skulls than them. Just like the the toodlers, made of rubber, in the front seats of cars unbuckled.