This might be a difference of context. In Japan you're expected to be sharing the road in a very litteral sense, like moving to the side to let a car turn at a

This might be a difference of context. In Japan you're expected to be sharing the road in a very litteral sense, like moving to the side to let a car turn at a corner, or getting off of the bike to have a pedestrian pass because it's just that narrow. There's little to no traffic infra in residential blocks, and you're expected to be careful and watch your way. Also bikes can easily be 30kg heavy and motor assisted, as you're using it for groceries or moving two kids to) from school everyday. Combine thanig an aging population (small kids freely roaming the neighborhood can also be an issue, but let's assume we're at night, not drunk at lunchtime) Hitting someone at a corner with a bike can be fatal (and actually is, at some non negligeable rate), and hitting a car won't be a small bump. PS: > so punishment should reflect that. DUI in Japan is one of the highest infraction. There's a point system, and you're (temporarily) barred from using your car at 6 points. Straight DUI with no casualties, no accident, is 25 points. The blue ticket you just have to pay that is discussed for bikes is peanuts.