As I posted on 20th December, I got a new Trek bicycle at Jingane bicycle shop at Chofu city Tokyo, which is my long-familiar store.　

My relationship with Jingane and its owner, Mr. Morita Junichi dates back to my young days, more than 20 years ago. Thanks to Mr. Morita and bicycle friends gathering in Jingane, we enjoyed the pleasure of cycling together. (Honestly and personally, my wedding ceremony was largely helped by them.)

Jingane has a long history and founded in 1906. It dates back at least four generations of bicycle shop and locates along Koshu highway (now National route 20). For example, marathon runners of 1964 Tokyo Olympic passed just before Jingane. Mr. Morita has a high-quality skill of bicycle mechanics and also, he acts so actively to improve the situation of local community. He is the representative of local Shibazaki shops association.

According to Mr. Morita, “To promote the use of bicycle transport properly, it is essential to prioritize the weak such as elderly or disabled people.” It is an impressive remark and lead to the concept of inclusive society and SDGs.

Jingane locates one minute walk from Shibazaki station, Keio line from Tokyo Shinjuku terminal taking about 25 minutes.

（大田区・洗足池にて、古い方の自転車で）

《以下のとおり、意見を提出しました》

　大田区で現在、自転車は区民の身近な乗り物として広く用いられ、親しまれていると考えますが、SDGs等の達成に向け、今後さらに使いやすい環境を作ることは重要です。具体には、

・駐輪場…例えば自分の知る限りでは馬込駅、西馬込駅など、駅前には大きな駐輪場を整備いただいているものの、満車が多いです。商店街の活性化や放置自転車減少を目指し、例えばより柔軟に駅から少し離れた場所にも整備できる支援等ができないでしょうか。

・交通ルール…「一時停止（自動車同様）」「左側通行」「飲酒運転防止」を最低限、徹底することが必要です。なお、周知する内容を複雑にし過ぎないことも重要と考えます。

・自転車ネットワーク…良い取組みですがあまり知られていないようで、道に迷う等も多いと考えます。例えば、路上の青いペイントや分かりやすい専用標識をさらに整備し、自転車を自動車交通量の少ないルートや駐輪場にうまく誘導してはいかがでしょうか。なお自転車専用帯は増えれば理想的ですが、費用や用地、自動車交通とのバランスも含め、経費抑制も重要と考えます。

・シェアサイクル…現在、拡大しており便利なサービスです。あえて欲張るなら、子供用シートがあればなお良いと考えます。

・他、国情は異なるが自転車利用の多いオランダ等を更に調査できれば有益ではと考えます。

I have got a new crossbike last weekend! 

先週末、行きつけの神金自転車商会さんで、新しいクロスバイクを納車していただきました！

詳しくはこちらでおいおい、書いていきます。

Jiyugaoka 自由が丘 in Tokyo is commercially very fashionable and high-quality prosperity in compact urban spaces. In this Christmas season, Jiyugaoka is very lively especially by female shoppers and couples. There are many relaxing open café shops which are not yet very common in other Japanese towns regrettably, brand stores, good restaurants, craft work designing shops and so forth.

Almost all visitors gather Jiyugaoka by train, bicycle or on foot. Official survey will not exist but more than 90 percent of them came here without using cars at a rough estimate. The number of passengers using Jiyugaoka station of Tokyu Toyoko line or Oimachi line is more than 100,000 per day, although this is not a very significant number in the standard of Tokyo metropolitan railways.

I have described Jiyugaoka as “practically” car-free town because official regulations against cars here are relatively not very strong except car banning (“hokosha tengoku” 歩行者天国, literally pedestrian’s paradise) in very central area near station in weekend daytime. Some cars visit here but most people hesitate to do so due to highly developed public rail and bus transport by private Tokyu company, narrow roads and lack of parking.

One notable fact is that the development and success of this Jiyugaoka has been achieved by private railway company Tokyu and not by the initiative of public administrations. The initial start of Jiyugaoka’s urban development is the open of railway station in 1927. Later local residents have well collaborated together to activation of this town.

As I have mentioned in other articles, bicycle regulations in Japan have plenty of room for improvement unlike already advanced countries like Nederland, Germany and others. The unorganized bicycle parking is a typical example.