Hiroshi Tsuda

Present Bicycle Usage and Policy in Japan

Homepage Manual Contents

Velo City Congress, Netherlands, 1987
Excerpt from: Bicycle Reference Manual for Developing Countries. Edited by Barbara Gruehl Kipke, April 1991.

1. Bicycles on the Increase
   
   

   1. Bicycle ownership is on the increase. Rising from 29.29 million bicycles in 1970 to 51.23 million in 1980 and 58.178 million in 1986, there is now roughly one for every 2.1 persons. This puts Japan behind only the United States and China in ownership.

      Along with this increase is a corresponding rise in bicycle accidents. In addition, the congestion of bicycles parked near major railroad stations has become a public problem.

   2. There are several reasons why bicycles are increasingly popular in Japan.
      
      
      1. Real income is increasing, aiding sales.
      2. Metropolitan areas are becoming more dense and expanding commuting distances.
      3. The bicycle is an ideal form of transportation for such activities as shopping.
      4. More people are recognizing bicycling as a healthy form of exercise.
      5. Bicycling is an energy-saving form of transportation.


2. Transportation in Japan

   Bicycles are one integral part of the entire network of transportation.
   
   

   • Road condition:

     In Japan, particularly in the large metropolitan areas, road conditions can be rather poor. In many instances, pedestrians, bicycles, and motor vehicles must share the same roadway, and traffic is frequently heavy. Japan does not have enough bicycle routes.

   • Transportation system for the commuters and students:

     Much of Japan's population is concentrated in metropolitan areas. With millions of commuters and students on the move, crowding in transportation systems is severe, particularly during the rush hours.

3. The 1981 Bicycle Law

   With bicycle ownership increasing drastically since 1970, bicycle accidents have increased and the congestion of bicycles parked on Japan's narrow streets and near train stations is now recognized as a public problem. For these reasons, the Bicycle Law (Law Concerning Promotion of Safe Utilization of Bicycles and Arrangement of Bicycle Parking Spaces, Law No. 87, 1980) was introduced in May, 1981, to promote safety and proper parking. As a result, bicycle-related fatalities and the problems of parked bicycles have both decreased.

4. Policies to Promote Bicycle Usage

   Bicycles are an extremely economical and convenient means of transportation. However, until recently there has been no strong policy to promote bicycle usage. The 1981 Bicycle Law stepped up control over bicycle usage, and it has helped counter some of their problems. However, it has not contributed to bicycle promotion overall. Bicycle promotion is an important task since compared with other means of transportation, they provide many benefits to society.

   Consequently the Japan Bicycle Promotion Institute is promoting the bicycle as a "good and healthy" form of transportation. Activities include:
   
   

   1. May has been proclaimed as Bicycle Month, with parades and other events held.
   2. Road races are being sponsored, such as the "Tour de Hokkaido" scheduled for October.
   3. Cycling routes, roads, and cycling terminals (overnight lodging for cycle tourists) are being built.

Reference 1

Concentration of Population in Major Urban Areas (l987 Census)
Total area: 377,801.14 square Kilometers
Total population: 121,371,798 (in 1987.}

Tokyo region: 30,442.703 (25.1%)
Chukyo(Nagoya) region: 8,217,718 (6.8%)
Kinki(Osaka-Kyoto) region: 16,394,872 (13.5%)
Total: 55,055.293 (45.4%)

Missing Map.

Reference 2

Movement of Urban Workers and Students (Tokyo Region)

Movement of people commuting to the work place or school

Missing graph

Reference 3

Movement of Urban Workers and Students (Tokyo Region)

Transportation in peripheral areas

Missing graph

Reference 4

Trend in illegally parked bicycles around train stations in japan (in thousands)

Missing graph

Notes:

1. Figures for 1975 are from a national mayors associations' study and cover cities and wards only. figures for 1977 on also include townships inside the three major urban areas.
2. "Around train stations" means an area roughly 500m in diameter around a train station wmere illegally parked bicycles are assumed to have been left by persons using the station.

Reference 5

Availability of Bicycle Parking Lots

Bicycle Parking Around Railway Stores

Changes in the number of bicycle parking lots, their capacities and actual number of parked bicycles

Missing graph

Reference 6

Drawing of Computer-Controlled Bicycle Parking Lots

In response to people's request, an economy type mecanical cycle tower was developed

Features

1. Low cost & economical construction.
2. High parking ability (7.5 bikes/qm) will help optimum utilization of land.
3. Each unit having its own drive, waiting time for parking/unparking is very short, and number of parking bikes can be optionally set.
4. Full-automatic (MICON & Card system) and semi-automatic (Custodian control system) are available.

There are several graphs and pictures missing in this page. If you are interessted in it, please write me an email with the URL and the reference number, and I will make them available as soon as possible.

Thank you.
Barbara Kipke