While using smartphones while walking has become a hot topic due to its dangers, there are also people who operate their smartphones while riding bicycles.

I vaguely understand that it's dangerous, but I tried to think about specifically how dangerous it is.

I will also share actual past accident examples and penalties.

Bicycling while using a smartphone, seen in town

When it comes to people riding while looking at their smartphones, delivery drivers are often conspicuous.

Perhaps they stand out simply because they are carrying large packages on their backs.

Uber Eats delivery drivers operate under a system called "Quests," where they receive additional rewards for completing more than a certain number of orders.

Moreover, when a delivery request arrives on their smartphone, they need to respond within one minute.

There are also reports that in an experiment with a new fare system launched in Kyoto and Fukuoka in March 2021, this response time was 30 seconds.

Even with other companies, if there's a response within one minute of an order, it means a delivery person somewhere is reacting to it.

It seems they are in a situation where they have to look at their smartphone screen as quickly as possible, for their livelihoods.

What people are looking at on their smartphones while cycling

As mentioned above, delivery drivers seem to be looking at order statuses, maps to delivery destinations, and so on.

Many delivery drivers seem to use smartphone holders, securing them to the bicycle itself, but even if it's infrequent, operating the phone while riding is dangerous.

Besides delivery drivers, there also seem to be people playing games.

These are location-based games like Pokémon GO and Dragon Quest Walk.

Both games have been improved so that movement isn't counted if you're traveling by car, but there are reports that it is counted in Pokémon GO if you're traveling under 10 km/h, and in Dragon Quest Walk if you're under 15 km/h.

Some people get tired walking, so they use bicycles to cover more distance.

In these cases, operating the phone is involved, so it's definitely dangerous.

Specifically, how dangerous is it?

For the person operating it, it might feel like "just a moment," but considering the average bicycle speed is about 15 km/h, in just 5 seconds, you travel approximately 21 meters.

Looking at the screen, confirming the content, and returning – just this takes about 5 seconds.

If you're operating the device, the time will increase further.

Considering that you're traveling about the length of a typical 25-meter swimming pool without looking at your surroundings, it's terrifying.

Past accident examples and penalties

Let's look at actual past accident examples and court precedents.

Example from December 2017 in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture

A female university student (20) operating her smartphone while riding an electric bicycle collided with a 77-year-old woman walking, and the pedestrian died.

Furthermore, an investigation revealed that she had earphones in her ears, a smartphone in her left hand, and a drink cup in her right hand.

In August 2018, the female university student was sentenced to two years in prison.

Example from June 2019 in Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture

A female high school student riding a bicycle while looking at her smartphone at an uncontrolled intersection hit a walking man (in his 70s).

The man was in critical condition, unconscious for a time, and after regaining consciousness, had difficulty communicating.

This female high school student was referred to prosecutors in October 2019 on suspicion of gross negligence resulting in injury.

These two cases are often highlighted online.

Cases of fatal accidents or lawsuits due to cycling while using a smartphone are rare, but they definitely occur.

While comprehensive national data is scarce, in Tokyo alone in 2020, there were over 10,000 such incidents annually, and the number is increasing every year.

(Source: Metropolitan Police Department, Traffic Statistics/Accident Occurrence Status)

Using a smartphone while cycling is a violation of the Road Traffic Act.

There is an obligation to comply with "matters deemed necessary by the Public Safety Commission to prevent danger on the road and ensure other traffic safety, depending on the road or traffic conditions" (Article 70, Duty of Safe Driving, and Article 71, Paragraph 1, Item 6 of the Road Traffic Act).

If violated, a fine of up to 50,000 yen may be imposed.

In Tokyo, it is prohibited to hold a smartphone to talk or stare at its screen while operating a bicycle (Article 8 of the Tokyo Road Traffic Regulations).

Furthermore, if smartphone operation while cycling is determined to prevent "secure operation of the handlebars, brakes, and other devices" under Article 70 of the Road Traffic Act, it may be considered a dangerous act by bicycle under the revised Road Traffic Act, enforced from June 1, 2015.

Summary

Using a smartphone while cycling is a dangerous act for those around you.

In just a moment of looking at or operating the screen, you travel 20 to 30 meters.

There have been cases in the past that led to fatal accidents, and cyclists can become perpetrators.

The number of bicycle accidents is increasing year by year.

The amount of damages awarded has also become enormous, to the extent that some prefectures have mandated bicycle insurance.

To protect yourself and your family, never use your smartphone while cycling, as it is dangerous.

Conversely, it seems necessary to be even more careful about bicycles than usual when walking.