Japan is witnessing a once-in-every-15-years bicycle boom. On weekends, bike shops are overflowing with customers and road bikes priced at over 100,000 yen are doing a roaring trade. According to the Japan Bicycle Promotion Institute, one significant aspect of the current bicycle boom is the popularity of bikes for sport (road bikes) and of electrically powered bikes. Another factor is an ever-growing market for customers who are looking to buy a bike which straddles the line between a town bike (commonly called Mama-chari) and the ‘maniac sport’ bike. Certainly, good-looking sports models for in-town riding (otherwise known as crossbikes) abound on the roads of Tokyo.

We have borne witness to spiraling oil prices. The big wave of eco-consciousness has also swept through. And the slow-life boom is in full global swing. What’s more, as of last year the special ‘metabolic syndrome’ health check — required for people over 40 — needs now to be kept firmly in mind. Perhaps all these aspects have something to do with the recent bicycle boom? Hardly surprising, then, that many ‘salarymen’ are choosing to switch their commuting methods from cars or trains to bicycles in the name of health and thriftiness. Allied to this, many companies are similarly downsizing and alternating their sales vehicles from small cars and motorcycles to electrically powered bikes. Doubtless, the motivation is one of cost, health, and eco-related factors. Switching to bike power also solves the problem of having to find parking space in the city area where strict parking controls are in force.

Great for the global environment, money saving and health, the boom has many positive sides to it. There is, however, a negative side to consider. According to the Metropolitan Police Agency, the numbers of bicycle collisions or bicycles hitting pedestrians have swollen. In the last year alone there have been 7,264 incidents (incl. 7 deaths), 5.4 times as many as ten years ago.

The cycling infrastructure in Tokyo has also lagged behind many Western cities. But just maybe this raging bicycle boom will leave a much improved cycling environment in Tokyo as its legacy.

In this issue of Tokyo Journal we have accordingly delved a little deeper into the boom and report back on the recent cycling trends to hit Tokyo. From recommended models for biking novices, to latest designer models, to the lowdown on trendy electrically powered bikes it’s all at your fingertips.

This, and much much more.