There is Safety in Numbers

In Japan I was often ask about how to get more people to bike. Unsurprisingly, safety is the main concern. If people feel safe they are perfectly happy to bike - and to let their children bike. So is the answer bike lanes, bike traffic lights etc.? Absolutely. And they lead to the best - free - solution: Numbers. The more people who bike the safer it gets.



We know by instinct that there is safety in numbers. True for Cyclists in Copenhagen as well as Wildebeest in West Tsavo. And our instincts are backed by statistics and science. Even in Copenhagen we have seen the number of accidents drop as the number of cyclists rises.



Cars are the real danger. Their big, bulky steel structures do not mix well with cyclists. In Japan the drivers are very considerate towards cyclists - if they see you. But often they do not because they are not used to bikes. In Denmark drivers are used to keeping a watchful eye open for cyclists from all sides. And doing so is essential for anyone trying to get a driver's license.


Take care and happy cycling!

[Wildebeest pictures found at Creative Commons thanks to "Rainbirder" alias Steve Garvie / "amanderson2" alias Mandy / Dom Cram / "biggles621" alias Steve Johnson / all at Flickr - Thank you!]

Japan Cycle Chic - Encore!

Some more Japan Cycle Chic from the steady photographic hand of Uncle Allan.

Japan Cycle Chic from Uncle Allan

A fellow Copenhagener, known as Uncle Allan, recently returned to Copenhagen from Japan. He had promised to take some shots for Cycle Chic whilst in the Land of the Rising Sun and he certainly didn't disappoint. After all, Tokyo is at #2 on the Cycle Chic Cities list, so we knew we were in for a treat.

Much is said and written about Copenhagen/Amsterdam & Denmark/Netherlands from a bicycle culture perspective but Japan is the third great bicycle nation in the industrialised world. Add to that a high fashion bar and you're ready for Cycle Chic.

Cycle Chic Global: Tokyo

Tokyo Cycle Chic from Flickr user puck.ananta.

Cycle Chic goodness from the Cycle Chic™ Flickr group.

Fukuoka City Cycle Chic from Stephen Crawford

Just can't get enough. Here's another installment of Japan Cycle Chic from my mate Stephen Crawford, the photographer living in Fukuoka City, Japan.

The perfect respite from a cloudy Sunday afternoon.

The stylish cyclists of Japan are, in my opinion, second only to their counterparts here in Copenhagen.

Go Nippon! Thanks Stephen.

Tokyo is All White

Another series of Tokyo Chic Chic brilliance from Stephen Crawford.


From the looks of it, everything's all white in Tokyo these days.

The fashionistas of the city go hand in hand with the thriving bicycle culture.

Style over speed, indeed.

The Nippon Nordic Alliance

Denmark and Japan, despite their cultural and geographic differences, have so much in common. Both cultures appreciate fine style, design and minimalism combined with practical usage. Here's a fine marriage of Denmark and Japan. A Velorbis Scrap Deluxe in action in Tokyo.

Ditto. This time in Shibuya Crossing.

And a Christiania Bike navigating the Shibuya Crossing.

The Copenhagen Cycle Chic Tokyo Film

Addendum: Vimeo.com has 'issues' at the moment... so the videos may not play.

Right then. Got THIS out of my system. A video of Copenhagen Cycle Chic Goes To Tokyo. Featuring the unsung heroes of bicycle culture, the fine citizens of a city completely saturated by bicycles.

On my last evening of my Cycle Chic tour of Japan I spent about 40 minutes outside my hotel on Shibuya Crossing - the world's busiest pedestrian crossing by the way - and filmed the locals on two wheels on an average Wednesday night.

Tokyo is everything. The fixie fad is at home here but there are scores of bicycle types whizzing past. Mamacharis for kid transport, cruisers, folding bikes, sit up straights, you name it.

Cycle Chic-wise, Tokyo gives Copenhagen a run for her money, what with the uniquely Japanese culture for being impeccably dressed.


Wifealiciousness and I couldn't decide which music was best so I just made two versions. The pop-a-delic one above with Turning Japanese by The Vapors and this version with the theme song from Get Carter, the classic cool film with Michael Caine.

Whatever works for you.

I Love Yu, Harajuku.

This girls OWNS her personal style utterly and completely. Respect.

Stylish knickerbockers on the move.

Carry all Tokyo.

My favourite moment. The launch. The bicycle set into motion. This time, Tokyo style. Heading off into traffic.

All shots from Harajuku, Tokyo.

Suitable for Cycling

Hands up... who would love to see flocks of men in suits on bicycles heading off to work in their city? As seen in Fukushima, Japan... and other bicycle nations.

On another note, do have a read of this fascinating post comparing Cycle Chic with Front Porch Republic.

"Something I'd never before imagined myself seeing was a philosophical kinship of any sort between Copenhagen Cycle Chic and Front Porch Republic. But that was before this morning. "

Simply Tokyo

The simple, graceful act of unlocking a bicycle. As seen in Omotesando, Tokyo.

Simplicity in Omotesando. And on a fine, MUJI bicycle. With the spectacular Prada flagship building in the background.

Fukushima School Chic - Japan Cycle Chic Week Continues

These shots are from Fukushima, a few hundred kilometres north of Tokyo. Even the youth of Japan got it all going on with the bicycles. What a great way to head home from school in the sunset.

Stand and deliver, brother.

Cool cat, this one. And note the all important umbrella on the bicycle. Standard issue in any real bicycle culture.

An MP3 player moment.

Give your girl a ride home. Well done him.

Four Tokyo Supermums [and a Superdad]

The Supermums of Tokyo. Just getting on with it. Over at Copenhagenize.com we've posted about the political power of these gorgeous supermums. They're not to be messed with. In many cities in Japan it is not allowed to drop off your kids at daycare/school by car because of traffic safety and pollution so the bicycle is a very important transport option in the country, especially for mothers.

To read about the bikes they use, the mamachari, here's a review from Copenhagenize.com.

Getting the kid settled in.

Having a chat.

A lot of Japanese supermums have these handlebar grip covers on their bikes. Go figure. And off topic... what's up with the dog stroller on the right? Quirky.

And a superdad in Omotesando.

A little film featuring the Japanese supermums. Just click past the guy yapping at the beginning - he yaps for about 1:18 minutes - to see a parade of supermums.

Copenhagen - Tokyo

After ten days spreading the Cycle Chic word in Japan and Moscow, there are many lovely reasons that I always love returning home. Like the summer traffic at 07:30 in the morning, for example. Poetry on wheels.

But we have unfinished Tokyo/Japan business:

Splendid red shoes and a cracking hat near Harajuku.

Cruising in style in Harajuku. The Gearheads would have a fit in Japan. So many people ride low on the bicycle. Perfect for city riding and, really, the great thing about bicycles is that there is no wrong way to ride them. Whatever turns you on.

Standing Room Only in two stylish versions.

News From New York:
Here's an article from Reuters about how New Yorkers are getting on their bikes in style.

"New York should have not only the most bicyclists, but the most stylish ones as well," Patti Harris, the first deputy mayor of New York, told a news conference.

Indeed. But the competition is tough from Copenhagen and Tokyo, dear New Yorkers. But a fashionability competition is a splendid idea! Bring it on!

But then there's this piece from The New York Times. All about designing "cycling clothes". Some people just don't get it. Whatever you wear for walking is suitable for cycling. This is just another example of corporations trying to capitalise on a trend by overcomplicating a simple issue. All you need is a bicycle. All you've ever needed, since the Safety bicycle was invented 120 years ago, is a bicycle.

Come to Copenhagen!
The website Denmark.net has a competition for bloggers.

Denmark Jazz Weekend
One blogger can win a trip to the Copenhagen Jazz Festival in July. To enter, write a blog post about what's cool about Denmark and win a trip to the Copenhagen Jazz Festival. Out of all submissions, the Denmark.net jury selects the most interesting, funny, creative, or weird. Fifty bloggers will receive Denmark t-shirts, mugs, or mousepads. One lucky winner is going to Copenhagen on July 10th, enjoying the weekend in a five star hotel.

Get blogging!

Tokyo Four

A slice of Tokyo street con biciclette.

Tokyo Funk.

Tokyo Mass Transit. Japan is just as saturated with bicycles as Denmark and Holland.

Tokyo supermum with her kids on a classic mamachari bicycle. Those kids ride in style and comfort.