Bikes!!

Every day at about 3pm, I look through the window of the teachers room and see dozens of Junior High School kids riding their bikes home from school. On certain streets at certain times, bikes seem to be everywhere, and their riders much too trusting of those driving cars. As evening approaches and everyone is getting off work, bikes clog some sidewalks (where sidewalks even exist) and gather at train track stop lights.

All those street bikes to watch for while driving, or even while walking. Bikes bikes bikes.

Something interesting is that they have a problem with people – mostly teenagers – texting while biking. Just the other day we were out walking home from grocery shopping, and a girl coming toward us on her bike veered left and right all over the place so we didn’t know which side to get on. Fortunately, she looked up and moved to the opposite side of the sidewalk. Despite the street signs prohibiting it, many disregard them and text regardless. Kind of scary, considering the number bikes on the streets.

Right outside the Oyama train station, there is a huge lot entirely for parking bikes! That is quite the sight for someone who comes from a country where very few people ride bikes (even though almost everyone owns one). One can park their bike almost anywhere, it seems. We’ve seen some right in front of shops, on balconies, crammed together under apartment stairs, between buildings, and right next to apartment doors.

Of course I knew before coming here that the bike population of Japan is huge, but it’s still strange to actually witness. At some point in time, I want to get myself a bike. Not only are they convenient, with nice baskets right in front of the handle-bars, but I actually feel kind of weird NOT having one. Haha.