I have written earlier about Mamachari. It is also known as "Mom's bike" or Dutch-style city bike.
Let me, as a bike shop
owner, share my views, on why Japanese cyclists prefer "Mom's bikes"
or Dutch-style city bikes over other types like mountain bikes (MTB). In Japan, such bikes for
adults are available in wheel sizes of 24″ and 26″..
This is what a MTB
looks like.
There are single speed and geared models available in the market. Lower end models are heavier as they are usually steel frames MTBs. In Malaysia, they can be purchased:
in frame size of -S, M, or L -13″ (rarely), 15″ up to 19″
in wheel size of:
-20″ -24″ -26″ -27.5″ -29″ (29er)
Most MTBs in wheel sizes of 27.5″ and 29″ are geared bikes. It is not the kind of bicycle that can be shared by family members of different height or age.
Most leisure or city bikes supplied in Malaysia are single speed bikes. They are available in wheel sizes of 20″, 24″, 26″ and 700C. Most are steel frame city bikes.
You can find higher end models with alloy frame and gears components installed. They are usually in wheel sizes of 26″ or 700C.
These are the notable differences between the bicycles, which will explain why city bikes are popular in Japan:
The top tube of a city bike is placed lower down the frame compared to a MTB.
-mounting and dismounting from a city bike is easier for cyclists carrying a load or ferrying a child.
-it is a safer bike for seniors, especially if they have poor gait.
-due to lower average height of Asians, a 24″ wheel size city bike can be ridden by a child age 9 till adulthood.
-the low top tube makes it one of the common bike choices for companies running rental businesses as it can cater to adult riders of any height.
The stem of a MTB is shorter and the handlebar is usually straight or with low rise. The handlebar on a city bike is high rise and curves toward the cyclist. That is preferred as:
-it provides easy reach for shorter riders.
-cyclist can sit in a more upright position on a city bike which is good for seniors and cyclists with back issues.
All city bikes are installed with full mudguards, rear carrier, basket and stand. These accessories are usually not installed on MTB. Also tyres on city bikes are slick for urban rides. Tyres on MTB are knobby for ridding over rough terrain.
-it can be noisy to ride a MTB on paved road.
-it can be tiring as you need more exertion to move the knobby tyres over paved roads.
-it is easier to run errands on a city bike since you are able to carry stuff on the carrier or in the basket.
-you will have to find a place to lean the MTB on but you can park the city bike easily by lowering the stand.
-you can ferry your children on a city bike by installing child seats. -child seats that can be installed on rear carrier is cheaper compared to those that are seat post mounted.
Child seats supplied by OGK in Japan are very unique.
They have a model that can be installed on the handlebar of a city bike.
Mamachari are popular with women and they are the most common type of bicycle for everyday use. Though known as mom's bicycles, they are actually unisex bikes. There should not be any problem installing a child seat on the rear carrier and another on the handlebar of a city bike.
For your information, folding bikes are also popular in Japan. In urban areas where space is limited, they are a practical solution as, once folded, they are easy to store in small apartments or offices.
It is also convenient for cyclists who have to use public transport part of the way. They can bring along their folding bikes as long as they are kept in lightweight rinko bags which can be purchased from their local bike shops.
Mamachari can also be packed into a rinko bag but it will be a hassle as you will have to remove the front wheel and attached it to the rear as shown in the following video. Fellow passengers will not like it when you board a train with a large bag, especially, when it is crowded.
In fact, I think that folding bikes are the best bike for most people, young or old. You just have to find them in the right wheel size for your height.
Can you transport your bicycle in a compact sedan like a 2019 model Kia Forte?
Is your bicycle 700C in wheel size?
Or a leisure bike with a large basket installed?
Most bicycles can easily be fitted into a car. Kia promoted its Kia Forte as a compact car with
roomy trunk. So, you should not have a problem transporting your bicycle in it. For a 20″ wheel size
bike, you can place it on the floor of the backseat.
If there are children in
the car, they can sit comfortably, with their legs crossed on the seat.
If you are
transporting larger wheel size bicycle in the boot, you may have to remove one of the wheels
or both if you have some stuff in your car. Watch this video to learn how to remove the front wheel.
Most of our customers tend to have difficulty removing the rear wheel of their geared bikes. If you have to remove it too, watch this video.
If your bicycles do not have QR mechanism installed, we can replace the axles to a pair of hollow shaft set which are supplied with the QR skewers.
The part you see circled in red on the bicycle is the rear derailleur.
When transporting your geared bike, do not lie it on floor facing it. It is a sensitive gear component. Most of the time, we to have set the gears on our customers' bicycles because they have been transporting their bicycles in the boot the
wrong way. They are not aware that when they placed their bicycles in their
boots with the rear derailleurs pressing against the floor, it can affect the
efficiency of the component.
Watch this video if
you want more tips about fitting your bicycle in your car.
The first thing to do is to make it safe for cyclists to use public roads. So, cycling-specific infrastructure, such as, bicycle lanes should be part of the development by government agencies.
Since it is not possible to go long distances on a bicycle, cyclists will consider utilising public transport part of the way.
Would you be comfortable parking your bicycle in an open space environment like this?
If bicycles are not allowed to be brought up public transport during peak period, there must be allocated parking spaces that have been enhanced to prevent theft and the elements of nature that could damage bicycles.
Once these issues are looked into, there are many ways to integrate cycling with public transport. The good thing is that you do not have to crack your head for answers.
If you google "public transport and cycling", you will find many reports and studies made on integrating cycling with public transport. Reading them will inspire you to discover ways to adopt some of the ideas for your own country.
These are some I found by searching "public transport and cycling":
When you cycle on a bicycle, you can call yourself “The Champion of the Earth” because you do not require fossil fuel to get you around. It is a recreation where you can get everyone in the family involved because none of you will require a license to start cycling.
For the younger ones, who do not know how to cycle yet, an extension can be added to the bicycle.
You can even bring along a wee one on a front mounted child seat.
When it is too hot to cycle or if it is raining, you can mount your bicycle on a trainer to ride indoor.
Maintenance cost is low as parts and components are generic so you can easily find them in any bicycle shop and get your problem fixed no matter where you are. In fact, some repair work are not too technical that you can learn how to fix them personally.
While you are out exercising on your bicycle, you can also run errands. Just make sure that you have a carrier or a rack installed to hold any purchase.
Here is a solution if you can’t install a carrier or rack.
There are many places in your home or its compound where you can easily store your bicycle as it does not take up too much space. You can even hang it from the ceiling right above your shoes cabinet.
You can ride your bicycle anywhere you want to build up your fitness without worrying about leaving a carbon footprint.
Different countries have different regulations about traveling with a bicycle on public transport. I think it is best to know what is acceptable in your country before you make a decision to carry one on board.
A regular alloy 26″ bicycle can weigh 15kg or less while a 20″ alloy folding bike can weigh between 9kg to 12kg. Which of these weights are manageable for you to carry around?
If you travel with a folding bike, once it is folded, it does not intrude the space of fellow passengers. As the pedals can also be folded you do not have to worry about anyone bumping into them or your handlebar and getting hurt.
You can also get a bag for storing your folding bike before boarding a public transport. That way, you can be assured that it does not get scratched by your own carelessness or by passengers bumping into it.
This folding bike bag comes with a storage bag that you can hang on your handlebar when it is not in use. If you leave the folding bike bag at home, you can use the empty storage bag as a handlebar bag.
This is also a bag for folding bike but with wheels attached. It will be easier for you to move your bike around if you do not intend to ride it after alighting from the public transport.
Here are guideline provided by Rapid KL of what you must look out for when traveling on their trains with a foldable or non bicycle in tow.
Provided you are lucky enough to find a friendly bus driver who is willing to accept a token from you to help, most bus company in Malaysia will not allow you to take bikes onboard their buses. However, if it is a folding bike packed in a bag small enough to store in the bus luggage compartment, the driver will consider it a piece of luggage.
What should you cycle on if you plan to ride for a longer distance?
If you plan to stay somewhere overnight enroute, you will need a bicycle that can carry the load of your pannier bags. Do you have to travel by plane, train or car to get you to your cycling site?
Now that I got you thinking about it, following are some tips you should consider before you start on your journey.
