Bicycle Culture in Japan Derived from Mamachari

Abstract

Japan’s bicycle culture has developed in a unique way that is different to the West. This paper begins by organizing factors that make up the environment in which bicycles are used from the author’s perspective, and then from the viewpoint that the mamachari (mom’s bike) has played an important role in shaping Japan’s bicycle culture, it examines such actions as riding with an umbrella up, using a smartphone while riding, and cycling with a small child onboard. Finally, while introducing the author’s research results so far, this paper attempts to give the author’s thoughts about bicycles as a means of transportation in urban areas in the future.