Also, you have the option of lane splitting: it's a legal grey area, but not something enforced by the Japanese police. However, I am told that if you are caught with another violation, they will charge you with lane splitting in addition to that violation.
Lane splitting: It is legal as long as traffic is slow and drivers expect bikes to lane split. In practice most motorcyclists lane split at all speeds in every situation possible. Parking: Some places have free dedicated motorcycle parking.
Riding Double is Illegal
You might have seen high schoolers in Japanese TV dramas riding double on a bike before. In reality, two people riding on one bicycle is illegal! If you wish to ride with your small child on your bicycle, then please install a child seat either to the front or back of the vehicle.
Lane filtering in safe circumstances is legal in all Australian states and territories, but with numerous restrictions. It pays to be aware of these before you next try to skip a traffic jam. Legal for riders on open licenses travelling up to 30 kmph, including between parked vehicles and traffic.
That's both hands on the handlebars, no wheelies, and no going excessive speeds on the footpaths. You must be fully in control of the bicycle, and it must be in working order. Breaking this law is very serious and could end you up in jail for up to 3 months, as well as a fine up to 50,000JPY.
Add in the fact that wheelies on public roads are illegal, and that getting caught doing one can result in the confiscation of your bike plus serious charges and penalties, and it means learning to wheelie generally requires access to private property with a suitable area of tarmac.
No drunk cycling
At best, riding while drunk can get you locked up for the night but in more serious cases, you could face up to five years in prison, a ¥1,000,000 fine, and even deportation as a foreigner.
Filtering, otherwise known as lane splitting, is completely legal for motorcyclists in the UK.
There is no law prohibiting lane splitting in Singapore.
Filtering (known as "lane splitting" in some countries) means moving past queues of stationary or slow-moving traffic. Go to any town or city and you'll see cyclists and motorcyclists doing this. In the UK, filtering is perfectly legal and it enables cyclists and motorcyclists to keep moving when wider vehicles cannot.
There are many Japanese age limitations to be aware of, depending on the vehicle: Motorcycles with a displacement of more than 50cc but less than 400cc are restricted to those aged 16 and above, whereas motorcycles with a displacement of more than 400cc are prohibited to those aged 18 and up.
Wearing earphones
Riding the same route to school or work every day can get tedious, especially with the number of automated traffic signals in Japanese cities. Cyclists who try to alleviate the boredom by listening to music through headphones, however, will find themselves in violation of the highway code.
Japan does outlaw the practice of futari-nori, or two people per bicycle, but this law was put in place to stop the dangerous practice of giving your friend a lift home on the luggage rack or handlebars of a bicycle clearly designed for a single rider.
Lane filtering is when a motorcycle rider moves between stationary or slow-moving vehicles, that are moving in the same direction as the rider. Lane filtering at over 30km/h is illegal, and it's important that you only lane filter when it's safe to do so.
Japan – no honking allowed!
In Japan, it is considered very rude to honk your horn while driving. This is because honking is only meant to be used in emergencies. If you honk unnecessarily, you're not only breaking the law, but you're also causing a disturbance for other drivers and pedestrians.
Jaywalking is not very common in Japan. It is even illegal in Japan, and if a police sees you jaywalking, you can be warned or even fined. Surprisingly many people don't cross the street until the traffic light changes even though there's no passing car.
Lane filtering is the practice of motorcycles moving between stopped or slow-moving cars. This contrasts with riding between fast moving traffic which is termed lane splitting and is illegal.
Road rules state lane filtering is permitted at speeds of up to 30km/h, when it is “safe to do so”, and unless there is signage stating otherwise. Lane filtering is not permitted between a vehicle and a kerb, in a bicycle lane, or in a school zone during school hours.
Lane filtering is where a motorcycle rider moves past stopped or slow-moving vehicles at 30km/h or less. Lane filtering is legal in NSW. Lane splitting is where a motorcycle rider moves past vehicles at more than 30km/h. Lane splitting is illegal.
In most of the European Union lane splitting is legal, and in a number of countries, such as France, Italy, Spain or Netherlands, it's even expected.
Lane splitting is allowed on motorways, on roads with separated lanes for the opposing directions and two lanes into each direction and where the speed limit is above or equal to 70 km/h. You can use the space between the cars on the two left lanes of that road.
Even the government states that it “does not allow or prohibit” lane splitting. California might have a totally inadequate legal framework, but at least they're honest about it. Lane splitting is widely regarded as illegal in Canada.
You will need to get certified. Japanese law requires you to have a specific license for certain classes of motorbikes. For a 50cc engine (such as a scooter), a regular Japanese driving license is fine. To use a motorcycle or scooter over 50cc, you will need a mid-class or big-class license.
Under Queensland law, cyclists are subject to the same alcohol laws as motorists and as such can be charged with 'drink riding'. The Police do not have the power to randomly breathalyse cyclists, but can arrest cyclists suspected of being intoxicated.
Driving While Intoxicated and Under the Influence
Drinking and driving in Japan carries severe penalties. At an alcohol level of 0.15 mg per 1L of breath, a driver is considered to be Driving Under the Influence (DUI), which is punishable by imprisonment with work for up to 3 years and a fine of up to JPY 500,000.