"Thanks to your continued support, Docomo Bike Share has grown into a nationwide service enjoyed by many. It has been widely embraced as a highly convenient, eco-friendly, and healthy mobility option."
We aim to contribute to healthy and environmentally friendly "urban development" in Japan by providing new mobility services that are rooted in the community and loved by the people.
In order to realize this mission, it is essential that we sincerely listen to the voices and requests of all our customers, town residents, municipalities, governments, and companies, and reflect them in our services.
For your safe use of bicycles
Under the Road Traffic Law, bicycles are vehicles. If a bicycle rider fails to follow the rules and causes an accident, he or she is the aggressor and the bicycle driver is held responsible. The driver himself may also be seriously injured in an accident.
1. In principle, cyclists should ride on the left side of the street and use sidewalks only in exceptional case. 2. Cyclists must obey traffic lights at intersectios and check for safety after coming to a full stop. 3. Use bicycles lights at night. 4. Cyclists are prohibited from riding under the influence of alcohol. 5. Wear a bicycle helmet.
*With the enforcement of the amendment to the Road Traffic Law, penalties for using smartphones while riding a bicycle will be strengthened from November 1, 2024, and "riding a bicycle under the influence of alcohol" will also become subject to penalties.Please see here. (Japanese only)
*As a result of the enforcement of the revised Road Traffic Law, the wearing of helmets by bicycle riders became mandatory from April 1, 2023. Please see here. (Japanese only)
In addition to learning about bicycle accident cases and rules and manners, please use the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bicycle Safety Learning App to experience bicycle riding, such as starting, stopping, and avoiding obstacles. Click here to download (Japanese only)
About the Introduction of "Blue Tickets"
Starting April 1, 2026, "Blue Tickets" will be introduced for bicycle traffic violations.
What is a Blue Ticket?
✔ Refers to a "Traffic Violation Notice" issued for malicious or dangerous traffic violations, or when actual danger to traffic is caused.
✔ Violators who receive a Blue Ticket will be exempted from criminal prosecution by paying a penalty fine.
✔ Applies to bicycle riders aged 16 and older.
* When a bicycle rider under 16 commits a violation, a Blue Ticket will not be issued; instead, guidance or a warning will be given.
* Users of Specified Small Motorized Vehicles (e.g., electric scooters) are also subject to this.
Major Violations and Penalty Fines
Use of Mobile Phones, etc. (Holding)
Holding a mobile phone (smartphone, etc.) to talk or looking at the screen while riding
Penalty fine: 12,000 yen
Ignoring Traffic Lights
Penalty fine: 6,000 yen
Violation of Traffic Lanes
Riding in the wrong direction (riding on the right side of the road), riding on sidewalks (where prohibited), etc.
Penalty fine: 6,000 yen
Violation of the Obligation for Safe Driving
Riding while holding an umbrella, or riding while unable to hear surrounding sounds/voices due to earphones, etc.
Penalty fine: 5,000 yen
Failure to Stop at Designated Places
Passing through intersections while ignoring stop signs, etc.
Penalty fine: 5,000 yen
Riding Double / Riding Side-by-Side
Penalty fine: 3,000 yen
Poor Maintenance
Riding without lights (riding at night without turning on the light), riding with brakes that do not work properly, etc.
Penalty fine: 5,000 yen
Right Choice Guide to Avoid Blue Tickets
CASE① The road is dangerous! Can I ride on the sidewalk?
As a general rule, bicycles must ride on the left side of the road, but you can ride on the sidewalk as an exception in the following cases:
✔ When unavoidable due to road conditions Under construction, parked vehicles on the road, feeling in danger due to heavy traffic, etc. ✔ When there is a "Bicycles Allowed on Sidewalk" sign * Pedestrians have the absolute right-of-way on sidewalks, so please ride slowly.
* Specified Small Motorized Vehicles are strictly prohibited from riding on sidewalks under any circumstances.
CASE② Might be broken? Keep riding and it becomes a maintenance violation
Continuing to ride while knowing the lights do not turn on or the brakes are faulty may subject you to enforcement for "Poor Maintenance."
✔ If any abnormality (brakes, lights, etc.) is found, immediately pull over in a safe place and stop using the bicycle. ✔ Please promptly report it to the Docomo Bike Share Support Center.
To provide a comfortable travel experience, we rearrange the placement of bicycles to the cycle port and maintain the bicycles.
Quick detection of vehicles that are experiencing problems
We have the ability for customers to report problems with their bicycles themselves. This allows for faster problem detection and maintenance response.
How do cycle ports keep you safe?
In order to maintain the safety of the cycle ports, we have set a limit on the number of bicycles that can be parked at some of the cycle ports. We ask for the understanding and cooperation of our customers who use these bike ports, as this is an important mechanism for maintaining the landscape and ensuring the safety of our customers and the residents of the city.
Mobility development in response to customer feedback
docomo Bikeshare is constantly developing and updating its bicycles and attachments (keys). Based on regular customer interviews and feedback from our customers, we will continue to make improvements to ensure that all users can use our service safely.
Distribute safety awareness content
When riding a bicycle, the way you ride and the clothes you wear can greatly affect your safety.
In addition to raising awareness of the essential knowledge of traffic manners and rules, we also provide detailed information on the dangers of riding a bicycle, such as slipping after rain or getting caught in a coat, through our app and website.
In some cases, the following safety measures have been implemented by docomo Bike Share in addition to the above.
