Japan bicycle helmet usage rates increase following law revision

Bicycle helmet usage in Japan is showing an upward trend following the 2023 revision of the Road Traffic Act, which introduced an effort-based obligation for all cyclists to wear protective headgear. According to a National Police Agency survey, the nationwide usage rate reached 24.4 percent, a 3.2 percentage point increase from the previous year.

Regional data shows significant variation across the country. Ehime, Oita, and Fukui reported the highest usage rates, all exceeding 60 percent. In contrast, Tokyo reported a rate of 15.5 percent, while Osaka recorded the lowest at 9.5 percent.

To address low adoption rates among younger demographics, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department collaborated with Ryohin Keikaku Co. (the operator of Muji) and students from Aoyama Gakuin University and Yamano Beauty College to develop new helmet models. The initiative aims to make helmets more appealing to young people who often cite concerns regarding fashion and hair styling as barriers to usage.