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It seems like bicycle is the primary form of transportation here. From young kids to grandmas and grandpas, every where you go, people are riding their bikes. This just an example of bike parking, taken at Toys R Us in Kameido.



Not to be left out of the fun (and necessity) of owning a bike, I picked out one of the few bikes that would actually fit me. I decided on a Mountain bike by Giant (the 4500SE Rock, to be exact). It was pretty reasonably priced at around $250 US. Keep in mind, most Japanese ride piece of shit bikes known as mama-chari, so my ride is a Rolls-Royce in comparison.



So, today, I'm going for a ride on this great bike path by a river and am having a grand old time, despite the fact that I am terribly out of shape. I decide to take a little rest and watch these guys screw around with their gasoline powered RC cars.



Its pretty fun watching them race their shit up and down the hill, but it is pretty noisy. All of a sudden, I hear a really loud engine, which sounds like its from the biggest RC car ever. I turn around and was completely shocked to see this guy taking off, only 30-50 feet away from us:





Crazy Japanese...every day is an adventure here!

Stop throwing it in our FACE!!!! Seriously, J-town looks fun!

I heard he's gonna land on the 50 yard line during the halftime show at this year's Super Bowl.

Make some CAG flyer stickers and put them all over your bike. Represent!

That's awesome.

Nice bike, btw. I tend toward specialized myself, but Giant makes a pretty nice bike too. And I'm totally diggin the color.

Try to somehow get a picture of yourself riding your bike amidst a sea of other bikes, with you clearly visible above the crowd.

Now Miyamoto saying he rides his bike to and from work doesn't seem too odd.

ever consider getting a motorcycle for your primary transportation needs?

It's The Fan Man!

<3 The bike, wish I could ride one, damn you ear surgery!

we all know the real reason you got the bike, the jobs availible for white guys in Japan is food delivery guy

Glad to see that some cultures aren't dependent on cars for dragging their supersized carcasses 3 miles to pick up a gallon of ice cream and taking their little shits to ballet practice.

That picture of the mama-chari, with the two children and the woman *still* on the cellphone indicates to me, however, that perhaps our cultures can find common ground in our general disregard for safety when it comes to matters of flaunting technology.

EDIT: I'm curious if having a bike lock identifies you as "American" even when you aren't in the vicinity of your bike. Y'know, padlock culture and all that.

EDIT 2: It just occurred to me while walking my dog that "mama-chari" is probably spelled in katakana, and is a slightly shortened version of "mama" and "chariot," and is probably implied the same way Americans speak of "soccer moms" and "minivans."

Most people seem to have locks, but mine is definitely on the more rugged side in comparison.
I gotta take a picture of someone riding thier bike while talking on the cellphone and smoking a cigarette.

Originally Posted by jennie25 ever consider getting a motorcycle for your primary transportation needs?

I did, but then I realized:

1) I've ridden a bicycle once in the last 15 years. The non-powered version is challenging enough for now.

2) They are more expensive than a bicycle.

3) I really have no place to go and wouldn't know how to get there if I did.

4) I currently have no health insurance.

Originally Posted by Wombat we all know the real reason you got the bike, the jobs availible for white guys in Japan is food delivery guy

LOL!

Originally Posted by Wombat we all know the real reason you got the bike, the jobs availible for white guys in Japan is food delivery guy

Sadly, I am not qualified for that job. I'm not kidding (I couldn't find anyone's house and my Japanese is brutal).

I wouldn't have recommeded a mountain bike. I could hook you up with a nice road bike for around $70, and it's faster and easier to get around in.

I wish I could visit Japan sometime.

Originally Posted by mykevermin Glad to see that some cultures aren't dependent on cars for dragging their supersized carcasses 3 miles to pick up a gallon of ice cream and taking their little shits to ballet practice.

LOL I nearly soiled myself when I read this.

Oh great, Japan one day I will visit and possible live in your great country. Very nice bike cheapy you got to customize it though. I'm talking baseball cards, cool TMNT stickers and a light on the front so when you pedal faster it gets brighter. man Japan looks awesome.

The streets are so narrow in Tokyo, plus if it's far you'd end up going by rail anyway, so it's no wonder so many people use bikes for quick jaunts around town. It's just easier in the long run.

so cheapy since you are not working *yet* in japan, are you having a new adventure everyday?