Kyoto police to crack down on drunken cyclists, those riding with no brakes

Police here have announced that on-the-spot "red tickets" will be issued to drunken cyclists and those riding bicycles with no brakes starting from December, in an attempt to put an end to dangerous bicycle riding.

The so-called red tickets are usually issued to bicycle riders who have purposely disobeyed traffic regulations on several occasions. This is the first time in the country, however, that tickets will be issued on the spot for a single traffic violation. Police issue red tickets to cyclists for violating traffic rules as a legal step toward criminal procedures. Prosecutors then have to decide whether to move ahead with summary indictments.

According to the Kyoto Prefectural Police, the crackdown will also be enforced for five additional types of violations, including riders ignoring red lights; failing to stop at specified places; crossing at non-designated areas; riding tandem on a single bike, and riding without lights at night.

The new regulations will target violators aged over 15, excluding junior high students. Violators will first be warned and if they fail to oblige, they will receive a red ticket, which could lead to a fine, police say.

As of the end of October, Kyoto police had issued only three tickets to cyclists violating traffic regulations this year, but none of the recipients had been criminally charged.

"We hope that the new regulations will help increase safety consciousness among bicycle riders," said an official from the police force's Transportation Department.

Racing bicycles with no brakes, known as "piste" bikes, have become increasingly popular among young Japanese recently despite being illegal according to the Japanese Road Traffic Law. Earlier this year, the National Police Agency ordered each prefectural police department in the country to enforce a crackdown on "malignant" cyclists, including those riding "piste" bikes.

"This is the beginning of the end of Hays Paddock as a wonderful, magical semi-rural spot for the people of Boroondara to enjoy," Mrs Drost said.

Protectors of Public Lands Victoria secretary Julianne Bell labelled it "planning on the run" after council officers made changes to the plan during the meeting.

"I have never attended a council meeting where council staff actually deleted parts of a master plan for a park which had been advertised and to which residents had made representations and submissions," Ms Bell said.

Boroondara councillor Brad Miles agreed, saying it was unusual.

Cr Miles said a number of elements from the draft plan had not been updated for the final plan, which had resulted in officers making the changes on the night.

"There were quite a few little points but no major changes," he said. "I hope the pavilion will be a facility for everyone."