Bicycle sales volume in Japan 2011-2020
As of 2020, about 1.6 million bicycles were sold in Japan, worth over 77 billion Japanese yen in sales. While Japan produced around 867 thousand bicycles in 2020, those figures barely covered the domestic demand. More than six million bicycles were imported into the country over the course of the same year.
What are the preferences of Japanese bicycle owners?
The most common type among Japanese cyclists was the so called mamachari, which can be loosely translated as “granny’s bike”. A mamachari is a general utility bicycle, particularly popular among housewives and students commuting to school or running daily errands. As of 2020, e-bikes were the third most popular bicycle type, with around 12 percent of bicycle owners in Japan opting for the motorized version. Concerning the price, most new city bikes sold for up to 27 thousand Japanese yen; new pedal electric cycles (pedelecs), on the other hand, typically cost up to 150 thousand yen.
But what makes riding a bicycle a popular mode of transportation in Japan? In a country with exceptionally high demands for well-structured and efficiently designed life options, convenience is a vital factor for commercial viability. However, an important aspect of convenience is accessibility. In recent years, a growing number of Japanese cities started to offer bicycle sharing services, making alternative and budget friendly mobility options not only more accessible, but also contributing to increased flexibility in travel choices for citizens and tourists alike.
Is riding a bicycle safe in Japan?
The number of accidents involving bicycles decreased from more than 144 thousand in 2011 to less than 68 thousand cases in 2020. Bicycle accidents in Japan were primarily caused by road users being negligent towards the traffic situation. During morning and evening rush hour periods, bicycle accidents were most likely to happen, frequently involving cars or, to a lesser degree, motorcycles. Although the bicycle rider bore responsibility in significantly fewer cases, cyclists, especially younger ones, are also perceived as hazards. Common reasons for close calls with negligent children included the usage of mobile phones, headphones, or umbrellas while riding a bike. Due to the risk of bicycle accidents, taking out bicycle insurance has become mandatory in many Japanese prefectures.
What are the preferences of Japanese bicycle owners?
The most common type among Japanese cyclists was the so called mamachari, which can be loosely translated as “granny’s bike”. A mamachari is a general utility bicycle, particularly popular among housewives and students commuting to school or running daily errands. As of 2020, e-bikes were the third most popular bicycle type, with around 12 percent of bicycle owners in Japan opting for the motorized version. Concerning the price, most new city bikes sold for up to 27 thousand Japanese yen; new pedal electric cycles (pedelecs), on the other hand, typically cost up to 150 thousand yen.
But what makes riding a bicycle a popular mode of transportation in Japan? In a country with exceptionally high demands for well-structured and efficiently designed life options, convenience is a vital factor for commercial viability. However, an important aspect of convenience is accessibility. In recent years, a growing number of Japanese cities started to offer bicycle sharing services, making alternative and budget friendly mobility options not only more accessible, but also contributing to increased flexibility in travel choices for citizens and tourists alike.
Is riding a bicycle safe in Japan?
The number of accidents involving bicycles decreased from more than 144 thousand in 2011 to less than 68 thousand cases in 2020. Bicycle accidents in Japan were primarily caused by road users being negligent towards the traffic situation. During morning and evening rush hour periods, bicycle accidents were most likely to happen, frequently involving cars or, to a lesser degree, motorcycles. Although the bicycle rider bore responsibility in significantly fewer cases, cyclists, especially younger ones, are also perceived as hazards. Common reasons for close calls with negligent children included the usage of mobile phones, headphones, or umbrellas while riding a bike. Due to the risk of bicycle accidents, taking out bicycle insurance has become mandatory in many Japanese prefectures.
