Last week I was in Tokyo and was impressed to see the tremendous increase in the number of people commuting to work by bicycle. The last time I was over there, 2009, it was mostly children using bicycles. I asked a Japanese friend what had suddenly caused so many adults to take to their bikes? It certainly wasn't an increase in Dutch style infrastructure, as all I could see was an increase in shared use pavements ans painted on bike lanes on the roads. (TBF the Tokyo police may have enforced the rules around the bike lanes). My friend said the biggest driver for the change was financial. The Metripolitan and national governments had consistently increased taxation on VED, fuel duty, and parking until most ordinary folk found the hardship outweighed the facility of owning a car. Add to this the best public transportation system in the world, numerous "go green" public information adds and the fact that hybrid bikes, complete with mudguards rack and kick stands start at about £60 brand new, it looks as if a sea change is beginning to change Tokyo to a greener more pleasant place.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
Meanwhile in Tokyo
(3 posts)-
Posted 10 years ago #
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There has also been a bit uplift in young women cycling after a manga cartoon was launched with a cycling female hero!
Posted 10 years ago # -
Would be good to find a politician taking this line in Scotland and rest of UK
That would be political seppuku though
Posted 10 years ago #
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