4 ms·

It is a problem in the metro areas of Tokyo. The utility bicycles are unsightly and does block the sidewalk and entrances at times. I wish I had a photo handy

It is a problem in the metro areas of Tokyo. The utility bicycles are unsightly and does block the sidewalk and entrances at times. I wish I had a photo handy to show what it's like near the stations. Think 100 feet of parked bicycles on the sidewalk and no way to navigate through. There's a very large population of bicyclists in Tokyo. Keep in mind for people living in the city, the bicycle is a utility, not something ridden for sport or enjoyment. I do however enjoy passing cars on the bicycle and instigating races from bicycle road racers during my commute.

jrockway 17y ago
Keep in mind for people living in the city, the bicycle is a utility, not something ridden for sport or enjoyment. I do however enjoy passing cars on the bicycle and instigating races from bicycle road racers during my commute. Your second sentence contradicts your first. How do you encounter road racers if the bicycle is "not something ridden for sport or enjoyment". I live in a city and it is all three for me. All my trips to the grocery store are on bike, but I also enjoy the occasional leisurely ride to nowhere, and a regular "sport" ride. But I do agree that most people don't think of a bike as a tool, they think of it as a toy. I think of cars like that, though, so I guess it is just a matter of perspective and experience.
- nandemo 17y ago
  How do you encounter road racers if the bicycle is "not something ridden for sport or enjoyment". Road racers are a very small minority of the cycling population in Tokyo. However, almost everyone (non road racers) rides on the sidewalk. On the street there are relatively more road racers and hybrids.
  - jrockway 17y ago
    Yeah, I have noticed that. Is there some rule against riding bicycles on the road in Tokyo, or do people just prefer the sidewalk. (It is illegal to ride on the sidewalk in Chicago, for example, but people do it anyway for some reason.)

jrockway 17y ago

Keep in mind for people living in the city, the bicycle is a utility, not something ridden for sport or enjoyment. I do however enjoy passing cars on the bicycle and instigating races from bicycle road racers during my commute. Your second sentence contradicts your first. How do you encounter road racers if the bicycle is "not something ridden for sport or enjoyment". I live in a city and it is all three for me. All my trips to the grocery store are on bike, but I also enjoy the occasional leisurely ride to nowhere, and a regular "sport" ride. But I do agree that most people don't think of a bike as a tool, they think of it as a toy. I think of cars like that, though, so I guess it is just a matter of perspective and experience.

nandemo 17y ago
How do you encounter road racers if the bicycle is "not something ridden for sport or enjoyment". Road racers are a very small minority of the cycling population in Tokyo. However, almost everyone (non road racers) rides on the sidewalk. On the street there are relatively more road racers and hybrids.
- jrockway 17y ago
  Yeah, I have noticed that. Is there some rule against riding bicycles on the road in Tokyo, or do people just prefer the sidewalk. (It is illegal to ride on the sidewalk in Chicago, for example, but people do it anyway for some reason.)