63% of People Know There Are Penalties for Using Smartphones While Cycling, but Don't Know the Details, According to Survey by Atom Legal & Tax Group with Over 42,000 Responses

Atom Legal & Tax Group (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Takeshi Okano), which supports victims of traffic accidents, conducted a survey based on its own questionnaire to examine public awareness of bicycle traffic rules and legal knowledge regarding accident responses.

On April 1, 2026, the "blue ticket (traffic violation notification system)" came into effect, imposing penalty fees for bicycle traffic violations. Against this regulatory change, the survey investigated the public's awareness of bicycle rules and their understanding of legal procedures after accidents. The results revealed a significant gap between awareness and understanding—many people are aware of the existence of penalties but lack knowledge of their specific content.

Survey Overview

Target: Bicycle users across Japan

Method: Online questionnaire posted on Attorney Takeshi Okano's YouTube community

Period: June 8–16, 2026 (conducted intermittently during this period)

Valid responses: 42,517 total

Summary of Results

- 56% of respondents said they "have heard of the penalty fee system for bicycles, but do not know the details of the penalties." - 63% said they "have heard there are penalties for smartphone use while cycling, but do not know the details." - About 60% identified "riding while looking at a smartphone" as the most dangerous behavior when cycling. - 29% of respondents said they "do not know what to do" if involved in a bicycle accident with an uninsured party.

Citing or Reproducing This Survey

When citing or reproducing the results of this survey, please credit "Source: Atom Lawyers for Traffic Accidents (Atom Law Office)" and link to the following URL:

https://atomfirm.com/media/1073909

Detailed Survey Results

1. Are you aware that traffic violations involving bicycles are subject to penalty fees? (Responses: 9,048)

- Know the specific penalties: 42% - Have heard of it, but do not know the penalty details: 56% - Were unaware: 2%

Approximately 60% do not know the specific penalty details

While awareness of the existence of a penalty fee system for bicycles is widespread, only 42% know the specific penalties. Combined, those who "have heard of it but do not know the details (56%)" and those who "were unaware (2%)" account for nearly 60% of respondents who lack knowledge of the actual penalties.

2. Which cycling behaviors do you find particularly dangerous? (Responses: 10,000)

*Vote counts are approximate due to YouTube's display limitations.

- Riding while looking at a smartphone: 60% - Running red lights or failing to make temporary stops: 20% - Riding against traffic, such as on the right side of the road: 8% - Riding at night without lights: 12%

60% identify "distracted smartphone use" as the top danger

"Riding while looking at a smartphone" ranked highest as a dangerous behavior (60%), followed by "running red lights or failing to stop (20%)", "riding without lights at night (12%)", and "riding against traffic (8%)". This highlights a significantly higher level of concern about distracted smartphone use compared to other violations.

3. Are you aware that there are penalties for using smartphones while cycling? (Responses: 6,594)

- Know the specific penalties: 35% - Have heard of it, but do not know the penalty details: 63% - Were unaware: 2%

Only 35% know the specific penalties for distracted smartphone use

Despite "distracted smartphone use" being the top behavior identified as dangerous in Question 2, only 35% of respondents know the specific penalties. The 63% who said they "have heard of it but do not know the details" represent nearly two-thirds of respondents, revealing a major gap between perceived danger and legal knowledge.

4. Are you aware that both fault allocation and compensation (damages) can become issues in bicycle accidents? (Responses: 3,468)

- Aware both are relevant: 76% - Aware only of fault allocation: 6% - Aware only of compensation: 4% - Unaware of both: 14%

76% correctly recognize that both fault and compensation matter

76% of respondents correctly understand that both fault allocation and compensation are relevant in bicycle accidents—the highest awareness level among all survey items. However, 14% were unaware of either, indicating that awareness of these legal aspects has not yet reached everyone.

5. If you are in a bicycle accident with someone who does not have insurance, do you know what to do? (Responses: 5,428)

- Know you should check your own insurance or coverage: 37% - Know that in some cases you may need to claim directly from the other party: 27% - Believed you cannot claim if the other party is uninsured: 7% - Do not know what to do: 29%

29% do not know how to respond if the other party is uninsured

Nearly 30% (29%) of respondents said they "do not know what to do" if the other party lacks insurance. Additionally, 7% mistakenly believed that no claim could be made at all in such cases. In reality, options such as using one's own insurance coverage or making a direct claim against the individual exist, but this knowledge is clearly not widespread.

6. If the other party in a bicycle accident is a minor, do you know who to claim against? (Responses: 7,979)

- Varies depending on the minor's age and circumstances: 24% - The minor's parent or guardian: 64% - The minor themselves: 8% - Do not know: 4%

64% believe claims should go to the parent; only 24% know it depends on circumstances

While 64% believe claims should be made against the minor's parent or guardian, the correct answer depends on the minor's age and specific situation. Only 24% correctly understand that it varies by circumstance, meaning 76% either misunderstand or lack knowledge of the correct procedure.

▼ Reference: How much is typical compensation in bicycle accident cases? Breakdown of damages and high-value case examples

https://atomfirm.com/media/27888

Key Insights from the Survey

This survey revealed that while many people are aware of the existence of bicycle rules and penalties, far fewer understand the specific details or know how to respond after an accident. When people are involved in accidents without clear knowledge, they risk missing available options or delaying appropriate actions.

Within our group's core focus on traffic accident cases, we frequently encounter situations where such knowledge gaps hinder victims' ability to act. With the introduction of the blue ticket system in April 2026 raising public interest in bicycle regulations, now is the time to go beyond mere awareness and ensure accurate information about post-accident procedures reaches the public.

Moving forward, Atom Legal & Tax Group will continue to use the real-world data gathered from this survey to further improve our support systems.

About Atom Legal & Tax Group

Founded in 2008 in Nagatacho, Tokyo, Atom Legal & Tax Group specializes in criminal cases, traffic accidents, and inheritance tax matters.

With 15 offices located in major cities across Japan, we operate year-round, 24/7, to resolve clients' legal concerns.

We actively recruit lawyers, judicial trainees, and tax accountants to meet growing legal needs.

Name: Atom Legal & Tax Group Representative: Attorney Takeshi Okano Established: September 3, 2008 Headquarters: 9th Floor, Goseisha Tokyo Nagatacho Building, 1-11-28 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Offices: Nagatacho, Sendai, Saitama Omiya, Chiba, Ichikawa, Marunouchi, Shinjuku, Kita-Senju, Yokohama, Shizuoka, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Fukuoka URL: https://atomfirm.com/

Through locally engaged, agile service, we aim to alleviate the anxiety of clients and their families and provide prompt, appropriate support.

Atom Legal & Tax Group welcomes media interviews, expert commentary, legal review requests, and appearances on programs.

We respond promptly to inquiries regarding criminal cases, traffic accidents, inheritance tax, and other legal topics. Please feel free to contact us.

https://atomfirm.com/practices/practices_interview

Representative Attorney Profile

Takeshi Okano

Member of the Tokyo Bar Association (Second), Registration No. 37890

Attorney, Certified Tax Accountant, YouTuber, TikTok Creator

After graduating high school, he moved to the United States. Following 10 years as a part-time worker, he passed Japan's bar examination at age 28. The day after completing his judicial training, he founded Atom Tokyo Law Office alone. In addition to serving as representative attorney at Atom Law Office, he is also CEO of Atom Legal Information Co., Ltd., a company specializing in legal × IT web marketing. He is active across multiple fields, serving as legal supervisor for numerous TV dramas and as commentator on information programs.

As a YouTuber creating legal-themed videos, he enjoys high popularity. As of June 2026, his YouTube channel has over 1.76 million subscribers, his TikTok account has over 680,000 followers, and his total social media following exceeds 2.78 million.

[Official Website]

https://okanotakeshi.com/

[X]

Attorney Takeshi Okano [Atom Legal & Tax Group]

https://x.com/takeshibengo

[YouTube Channel]

Attorney Takeshi Okano [Atom Legal & Tax Group]

https://www.youtube.com/@okanotakeshi

[TikTok]

Attorney Takeshi Okano [Atom Legal & Tax Group]

https://www.tiktok.com/@takeshibengo

[Publications]

"The Ultimate Method for Life Transformation: Discover Your True Goals Through Interactive Exercises"

Author: Takeshi Okano

Publisher: KADOKAWA

Product page: https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/322107000881/

Amazon page: https://amzn.to/3Hn14ro

"Adult Roppo (Six Codes)"

Authors: Takeshi Okano, Atom Law Office

Publisher: Cross Media Publishing

Product page: https://www.cm-publishing.co.jp/9784295408772/

Amazon page: https://amzn.to/3Ootfw0