Biking in Japan

The nunber one way to commute locally in Japan? Bicycle!!!! Every where you go there are bikes. There are bike parking lots, multi-level parking lots, bike racks, and bike security. The two bottom pictures are of a bike parking lot which is run by an attendant, and you always have to pay to park. It was located in front of the train station. The pictures were taken on a holiday, so the lot is basically empty, but was normally filled to the brim. The ramp with stairway is how you get your bike to the second floor. You climb the stairs and push your bike up the ramp. You can not park your bike on the street, there are securily men to persuade you from illegally parking! Most people do not lock their bikes, it seems theft is very rare. But for those who would like to lock their bike, the lock is built into the back wheel! The bike I rode had a rubber chain, which I found very cool. Initially I was astonished that every bike has a basket on the front. A teen in Canada would probably never ride a bike with a basket, yet it is so practical, think about riding home with all your groceries. The above picture is Masayo and Yuma on thier bike, at the parking lot in front their apartment.