Support for Dedicated Bicycle Lanes in Japan is the Lowest Globally at 45%. 40% Respond 'Undecided'
Ipsos released the 'Mobility Report 2026', revealing that Japan ranks last among 31 countries with only 45% supporting dedicated bicycle lanes. Globally, concerns about road safety and declining interest in EVs are also prominent.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 13:35
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 07:12 (449h 36m after Collected)
Ipsos K.K. (Japan Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shunichi Uchida), one of the world's largest public opinion research companies, has released the "Ipsos Mobility Report 2026," which surveys the awareness of the future of mobility, road safety, and public transportation among 23,722 people in 31 countries globally, including Japan.
In Japan, the revised Road Traffic Act will come into effect on April 1, 2026, and the tightening of rules for the safe use of bicycles, such as the introduction of "blue tickets (fines)" for bicycle traffic violations, is attracting social interest.
However, this survey revealed that Japan has the lowest support rate in the world for the installation of "dedicated bicycle lanes," which realize a safe separation between bicycles and cars, while at the same time having the highest percentage of respondents answering "neither/undecided."
## Survey Results in Japan
## Support Rate for "Dedicated Bicycle Lanes" in Japan is 45%, the "Lowest" Among 31 Surveyed Countries. "Neither/Undecided" Reaches 40%.
In response to the question of whether they support the use of dedicated bicycle lanes on roads, the global average across 31 countries was 67% answering "support," gathering majority support in all countries.
However, the support rate in Japan remained at 45%, making it the lowest among the 31 countries surveyed.
Furthermore, in Japan, the response of "neither/undecided (neutral)" reached 40%, which was also the highest among the 31 countries. It is presumed that due to Japan's road conditions (narrow road widths and a complex traffic environment where sidewalks and roadways are mixed), many citizens cannot have a concrete image of the "impact on car driving" and "actual safety" if dedicated lanes are installed, leading to the current situation where they are unable to decide for or against it.
## Global Survey Results
## 55% Globally Anxious About "Road Safety in Residential Areas". 70% Support Lowering Speed Limits in Residential Zones.
On average across 31 countries, 55% feel anxious about road safety in their local areas. As measures to improve road safety, support for "lowering speed limits in residential areas (70%)" significantly exceeded that for "lowering speed limits on highways (56%)." This highlights the high level of global vigilance regarding accident risks on roads closely tied to daily life.
## Decline in Interest in EVs and Prominent Safety Concerns About Autonomous Driving, Especially in the West
Regional differences were observed in attitudes towards the future of mobility.
- Low Demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs) in North America and Europe
Across all 31 countries, 47% find driving an electric vehicle (EV) appealing, but in the US, Canada, Germany, Belgium, France, Poland, and Japan, those who "do not want to ride" exceeded those who "want to ride."
In Japan, the revised Road Traffic Act will come into effect on April 1, 2026, and the tightening of rules for the safe use of bicycles, such as the introduction of "blue tickets (fines)" for bicycle traffic violations, is attracting social interest.
However, this survey revealed that Japan has the lowest support rate in the world for the installation of "dedicated bicycle lanes," which realize a safe separation between bicycles and cars, while at the same time having the highest percentage of respondents answering "neither/undecided."
## Survey Results in Japan
## Support Rate for "Dedicated Bicycle Lanes" in Japan is 45%, the "Lowest" Among 31 Surveyed Countries. "Neither/Undecided" Reaches 40%.
In response to the question of whether they support the use of dedicated bicycle lanes on roads, the global average across 31 countries was 67% answering "support," gathering majority support in all countries.
However, the support rate in Japan remained at 45%, making it the lowest among the 31 countries surveyed.
Furthermore, in Japan, the response of "neither/undecided (neutral)" reached 40%, which was also the highest among the 31 countries. It is presumed that due to Japan's road conditions (narrow road widths and a complex traffic environment where sidewalks and roadways are mixed), many citizens cannot have a concrete image of the "impact on car driving" and "actual safety" if dedicated lanes are installed, leading to the current situation where they are unable to decide for or against it.
## Global Survey Results
## 55% Globally Anxious About "Road Safety in Residential Areas". 70% Support Lowering Speed Limits in Residential Zones.
On average across 31 countries, 55% feel anxious about road safety in their local areas. As measures to improve road safety, support for "lowering speed limits in residential areas (70%)" significantly exceeded that for "lowering speed limits on highways (56%)." This highlights the high level of global vigilance regarding accident risks on roads closely tied to daily life.
## Decline in Interest in EVs and Prominent Safety Concerns About Autonomous Driving, Especially in the West
Regional differences were observed in attitudes towards the future of mobility.
- Low Demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs) in North America and Europe
Across all 31 countries, 47% find driving an electric vehicle (EV) appealing, but in the US, Canada, Germany, Belgium, France, Poland, and Japan, those who "do not want to ride" exceeded those who "want to ride."