Amid concerns over increasing traffic violations by Tokyo's growing cyclist population, the Metropolitan Police Department has introduced harsher punishments for four bicycle infractions.

Under the stricter regulations the police adopted in late October, riders are more likely to be issued traffic tickets instead of warnings if caught ignoring traffic lights, failing to make temporary stops at specified points, riding against traffic or cycling fast on sidewalks.

Incidents involving bicycles have come to represent more of the capital's traffic accidents in recent years, with police data showing they accounted for 46.6% of accidents this year as of the end of September.