A brief visit to Japan last week afforded the opportunity to
share a glimpse of bicycling culture in this technologically progressive country. My visit was limited to Tsukuba, Kameoka, and
Kyoto, with travel to each squeezed into a very busy four-day schedule.
(Kameoka is immediately west of Kyoto)
Something new - at least to me - was the presence of fee-based bike parking. At first I thought these ‘stations’
were for a bike share program, but upon further inspection I realized otherwise. Commuters seem forced into using these
stations, as locking bikes to signs, fences, trees, etc. is prohibited. The locking mechanism affixes to the front
wheel... ...hardly a fail safe approach for securing a bike.
(Uncovered bike parking near Tsukuba Station)
Bicyclists were abundant in Tsukuba and Kyoto (both university
towns). Bikes were unsurprisingly utilitarian,
with most bearing lights, fenders, and racks.
