Number of road traffic accidents caused by bicycles in Japan 2014-2023

In 2023, the number of traffic accidents caused by bicycles amounted to approximately 17.61 thousand cases, slightly decreasing from around 17.86 thousand cases in 2014. Likewise, the overall number of traffic accidents involving cyclists grew. While the latter statistic was on a downwards trend, the former stagnated in recent years.

Is riding a bicycle safe in Japan?

Although traffic in Japan may be considered relatively safe in international comparison, the high share of pedal cyclists among casualties is striking. Moreover, the case fatality rate of bicycle riders may be comparably low to other road users, but in absolute terms, fatalities exceeded that of the other two-wheelers in 2021.
Surveys indicate cyclists themselves are aware of the risks. According to one conducted in October 2021, one in two pedal-assist electric bicycle (pedelec) riders admitted having had an accident or close call.

Who is likely to get involved in bicycle accidents?

Bicycles are a popular mode of transportation in Japan, especially among young people on school runs and the elderly. For the elderly, bikes are a cheap and flexible mode of transportation. If they have returned their driver’s license, it might even be the only option left to maintain a certain degree of mobility and independence. Accordingly, the likelihood among elderly and underage cyclists to get involved in traffic accidents is relatively higher.
The nature of their risks might differ, however. Although pedelecs have become increasingly popular in recent years among both groups, elderly cyclists with limited stability tend to struggle more with e-bikes, which built-in electric motor makes them heavier and faster than the average bicycle. Since people are aware of this issue, there have been e-bike training courses for the elderly organized by vendors, the police, and local governments. One can hardly measure the direct effects of such initiatives. At least, the casualty rate of elderly cyclists decreased steadily over the past decade. It remains to be seen if this trend continues.