Bicycle Culture

Riding a bicycle in Japan is a perfectly normal, everyday occurrence in Japan.  It's NOT just for leisure time or sport as it is in the States.  Almost everyone rides a bicycle from young to old, from business men to students, and even families!  

This is one of my favorite photos from last fall. This lady was walking her bike as she viewed the Spider Lilies.  

This was from last spring, in a park.

This was also last spring, of a tiny child on a balance bike.

It is not uncommon at all to see business men riding bikes to the train station.  Women also ride bikes in dresses and skirts. My question is: How to do they keep from getting too sweaty?!

Features you may not find on bikes in the States: 

A light that is built in and powered by the turning of the wheel.

A built in lock that t simply stops the rear wheel from turning. No one is worried about the man with a truck coming around and tossing their bike in the bed. 

Built in bell. I don't think most adult bikes have them in the States.

A kickstand that goes under the back tire and isn't as easily broke off as the single post kind.

A lock for the kickstand so your bike doesn't accidentally fall if it gets bumped.

Of course, mom (or dad) have responsibilities of taking care of their children, so they can't ride alone! It's not uncommon to see these bike seats, children even in the front and the back at the same time!

Since bike riding is so common place, certain features are available that I have never seen in the States. This is an apartment building with bike parking out front, as well as a ramp to make getting it there easy.

Bike ramps can be found on hills that include stairs.

Bike ramps are also quite common on street overpasses. 

I always walk my bike down these, but I think some people ride down! I'm too scared!!!  Many overpasses have cones to block bikes from doing this.

Bike parking is a common sight.  Many places have bike parking, even covered bike parking (for rain/snow and sun protection).

This is my local supa (grocery store) bike parking. Several times a week I ride my bike here as it probably takes only one minute on the bike to get here.  It's all downhill!!!

This is my bike laden with the day's haul.  I always put the heaviest things in the back as it makes the handlebars too hard to keep straight with heavy items in the front basket. 

 

Two level bike parking!

This is a photo of how to get your bike up to the second level.  Space in Japan is at a premium.

When I go to the station by myself to use the subway, many times I will take my bike to go faster.  Many stores you can park for free in front of, but for longer than an hour or so, it is safer to pay a nominal fee (near me is is 100 - with today's exchange rate, that's $0.67) so your bike doesn't get impounded. Peace of mind = worth it!

This is my bike parked at one of the local stations.

You have to pay attention to the number on the yellow spot you parked, that is how you will pay.

Here is the pay station at my local subway entrance.  You type the number of the stall you parked in and then pay. This machine has the option to pay with the same card as you do the train (IC card).

Sometimes parking can be SUPER TIGHT! It's possible to get your bike in there, but I don't want to do it.

Some bike parking will even tell you if it is is full or not (like a parking garage!) The green kanji right under the tree is telling you that parking is not full.



This is another two story bike parking. I have never used it. I believe you can even buy monthly parking here.

This is another public parking; this one takes coins only. 

Here are the instructions on how to use this system. You take the lock and lace it through your bike and insert it into the box. When you are ready to go, you pay your fee and push the button to release the lock. One time this parking was almost full and someone had LOCKE THE LAST ONE WITHOUT A BIKE, so I had to pay BEFORE AND AFTER using it! 

This is our local bicycle retention facility, what I like to refer to as "bike jail." Every bicycle should have registration, so it should be possible to get your bike back, but it seems many bikes just go here to die.

The last thing is actually riding your bike. Believe it or not, it can be confusing at first. 

On major streets, many times there will be clearly marked sides - for pedestrians and bikes. 

On smaller streets, this is a common sight. However, I have been told that you will never be ticketed for riding your bike on the sidewalk, even if these signs are present.  Thus, the confusion!!!!

What do you think? Would you give bicycle life a try in Japan? Is riding a bicycle common where you live?