Supplementary sign for 'Pedestrian Only' indicating 'Bicycles Permitted'

Recently, I have started seeing the phrase 'Bicycles Permitted' on supplementary signs for 'Pedestrian Only' regulatory signs that have been newly installed or updated. In this article, I will delve into the meaning of this and the background behind why we have started seeing it recently.

'Bicycles Permitted' signs that have been installed recently

Since around the beginning of 2025, I have noticed that new 'Pedestrian Only' regulatory signs have been installed with supplementary signs stating 'Bicycles Permitted'. For example, such signs exist in Ueno, a busy district in Tokyo.

This sign was updated around the beginning of 2025. Previously, a reduced-size sign was installed, but it was changed to the standard size during the update. Before the update, it stated 'Except Bicycles'.

The reason why 'Bicycles Permitted' started to be installed

What is the reason why the wording, which used to be 'Except Bicycles', has become 'Bicycles Permitted'? You can understand this by looking at the updates to the 'Traffic Regulation Standards' issued by the National Police Agency.

'Except Bicycles' and 'Bicycles Permitted' have the same meaning, but due to the update in October 2023, guidance has been given to use the wording 'Bicycles Permitted' for any new installations or updates from then on. This is the reason.

There are many patterns of blue regulatory signs for '--- Only' that include a supplementary sign saying 'Except ---', such as 'Pedestrian Only' with 'Except Bicycles'. Perhaps it is being changed to 'Bicycles Permitted' because the former is difficult for the general public without a driver's license to understand.

What must be noted is that when other vehicles are included, such as 'Except Light Vehicles', it does not become 'Light Vehicles Permitted', and if the main sign is something other than 'Pedestrian Only', for example 'No Entry for Vehicles', 'Except Bicycles' will continue to be used. It is not that 'Pedestrian Only' and 'Bicycles Permitted' are a special combination.

Also, 'Bicycles Permitted' has one more character than 'Except Bicycles'. If it is a standard size (60cm) supplementary sign, it is easy enough to see, but in the case of the reduced size (40cm), the characters become a little harder to read.

What is the difference from 'Bicycles etc. and Pedestrians etc. Only' with 'Bicycles Permitted'?

A similar installation exists where a 'Bicycles Permitted' supplementary sign is attached to a 'Bicycles etc. and Pedestrians etc. Only' regulatory sign.

This installation has existed for a long time and is a sign indicating a sidewalk where bicycles are also allowed to pass. The environment in which it is installed is completely different.

This combination is not mentioned in the 'Traffic Regulation Standards', and the presence or absence of supplementary signs and their content varies by prefecture.

For example, in Osaka and Kanagawa prefectures, a 'Bicycles Permitted' supplementary sign is installed under the sidewalk sign. In Tokyo, older signs also say 'Bicycles Permitted', but newer ones say 'Pedestrians Priority'.

Future developments

In the future, when a pair of 'Pedestrians Only' and 'Except Bicycles' is newly established or updated, the supplementary sign will become 'Bicycles Permitted'. I believe this will make the signage easier for the general public to understand. However, as a sign enthusiast, I am endlessly curious about how things will be handled in complex cases like the one below.

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