tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3949781078882383341.post5283394805437030481..comments2023-10-19T01:13:47.983+09:00Comments on Tokyo By Bike : Cycling in Tokyo and around Japan: Bicycle Commuting in Tokyo? Are You Insane?Byron Kiddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11827875619267980053noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3949781078882383341.post-33633123415129772662018-01-31T13:17:34.344+09:002018-01-31T13:17:34.344+09:00Why do companies ban cycling commutes?Why do companies ban cycling commutes?jaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13011545104035255132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3949781078882383341.post-4428743809330396092013-09-30T22:34:13.479+09:002013-09-30T22:34:13.479+09:00From Ginza I Just go around the imperial palace mo...From Ginza I Just go around the imperial palace moat (along the path) and along shinjuku dori past Sofia Uni'.<br />Maybe 20mins from Shinjuku to Ginza. 25 mins from Ginza to Shinjuku.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09582628131330194053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3949781078882383341.post-36974290453917958432013-09-27T12:39:18.011+09:002013-09-27T12:39:18.011+09:00Which route do you find is best from getting from ...Which route do you find is best from getting from Ginza to Shinjuku?Byron Kiddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11827875619267980053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3949781078882383341.post-38512027984758372512013-09-26T13:51:55.814+09:002013-09-26T13:51:55.814+09:00I've been using my folding bike to get to work...I've been using my folding bike to get to work for 3 years now. Rain or shine, typhoon or snow.<br /><br />I get one train (37k) from Yokohama (Isogo) to Ginza (Yurakucho).<br />Then I cycle an easy 6k from Yurakucho to Shinjuku.<br />About 2/3 time a month I do the whole distance by bike.<br /><br />I have to say, regardless of the weather, it's a great way to start the day.<br /><br />Most of the time the traffic is agreeable.Rush hour seems to make people more agressive. If anything I find that when I am riding aggressively that's well things go awry.<br /><br />Tokyo is a great city for cyclist commuters. The roads are in good shape and clean from debris. I'm guessing theft of cycles is lower than in most big (western) cities (can you imagine leaving you bike unlocked for a second in London ?). Plenty of bike shops for quick repairs. <br />Employees get their travel paid so cycling to work is a good way to save money.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /> Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09582628131330194053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3949781078882383341.post-28248323599394671672013-09-25T22:42:58.151+09:002013-09-25T22:42:58.151+09:00Many companies in Japan ban their employees from c...Many companies in Japan ban their employees from cycling to work therefore as a result very, very few offices in Japan have showers. <br /><br />Many bicycle commuters hide their bike commuting habit by taking out gym membership close to their office if they feel they'll need a shower in the morning. Quick shower, on with the suit, stow the cycling gear in a locker and the company has no idea you're commuting by bike.<br /><br />Byron Kiddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11827875619267980053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3949781078882383341.post-29811199534054323312013-09-24T18:04:28.871+09:002013-09-24T18:04:28.871+09:00Just out of interest - how common are showers in l...Just out of interest - how common are showers in large Japanese office towers ? I am not so worried about winter, that's what decent clothes are for, but in the summer having the option to have a quick shower in the office might be really good.<br />Christianhttp://www.clangkamp.denoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3949781078882383341.post-10035773438856141442013-09-13T17:27:52.788+09:002013-09-13T17:27:52.788+09:00It was a Lexus that overtook me way too close this...It was a Lexus that overtook me way too close this morning only to swerve violently right into a lane of traffic travelling in the same direction to avoid hitting a schoolgirl cycling ahead of me.<br /><br />He would have collided with a taxi if it hadn't swerved into a lane of oncoming traffic and slammed on its brakes. The Lexus hardly lost any speed during this whole incident and continued on his merry way. <br /><br />When I caught up with him minutes later he was on the phone while smoking a cigarette!<br /><br />I tapped on his window and politely gave him the international sign for "Please be aware of cyclists on our roads" which is a single middle finger pointing to the sky, then proceeded to ride in his general vicinity for the rest of the journey so he could get some practice driving around cyclists.<br /><br />I stand by my opinion that cycling in Tokyo is safe, but it pays to be on the lookout for assholes.Byron Kiddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11827875619267980053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3949781078882383341.post-81436860430584930512013-09-12T19:15:31.440+09:002013-09-12T19:15:31.440+09:00Tokyo winter? Well, I commuted by bike in Toronto...Tokyo winter? Well, I commuted by bike in Toronto...<br /><br />Summer? Tokyo summer is BS, and I am glad I am a teacher at an international school with more than half of the hottest weather off.<br /><br />The road death rate here is a quarter of Toronto, which is 'damning with faint praise', but I'll take it. The usual threats are there: taxis and tools in BMWs and other 'luxury vehicles'. The local truck drivers are better, but made up for by the blue-collar in micro-trucks and Yankees on scooters.Ἀντισθένηςhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06199983680204710885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3949781078882383341.post-69360304697718147162013-09-12T10:37:52.428+09:002013-09-12T10:37:52.428+09:00Summers in Tokyo can indeed be unbearable. Unfortu...Summers in Tokyo can indeed be unbearable. Unfortunately I have to hide the fact that I commute from my company so I usually ride to work in my jeans and a t-shirt. I carry a towel and a shirt in my bag then dry down and change before I start work for the day.<br /><br />Personally I don't find winters so bad. I commuted all last winter with jeans, t-shirt, woolen sweater and a light jacket that keeps out the wind. Gloves and thick socks are a must. I find its easier to keep warm in winter than to cool down in summer when simply standing in the sun causes the sweat to pour.<br /><br />I've been using a Cleverhood for commuting too and it does a great job of keeping me dry, although cycling while wearing a cape can take some getting used to.<br /><br />I'm planning two future articles, one on the equipment you need to start bicycle commuting, and a second on how to deal with the weather. Stay tuned!Byron Kiddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11827875619267980053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3949781078882383341.post-55187696276402392572013-09-12T08:47:09.746+09:002013-09-12T08:47:09.746+09:00Summers in the Tokyo area suck for biking. I had ...Summers in the Tokyo area suck for biking. I had to quit for the last two months and only just started riding again. I wish there were some way around it, but I can't figure one out.<br /><br />Winter is incredibly cold, but at least I can generate my own heat. Just need to make sure my hands/toes/ears are warm and I'm good to go.<br /><br />The rain can be a problem sometimes too, but I got one of those cleverhoods and am eager to see if it works during the severe downpours.Jessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01274918059193803558noreply@blogger.com