Bicycle Trend Today

For all of you that don’t reside in Asia the look of a large number of Chinese people cycling their way to jobs are one that has been confirmed on television time and time again. Exactly the same can perhaps be said of Amsterdam and Copenhagen as well in which the wildest creations, often with cargo space, can be seen ridden in bicycle lanes of those crowded cities.

The image of bicycles in Japan however is not something which has been portrayed often neither in foreign media or Japanese media for that fact. But lately this is changing. A quick stroll with the city and you’ll see both young fashionistas riding their over hyped fixed-gear bikes as well as middle-aged salary men on standard cycles as well as the odd racer rushing his way through busy Tokyo traffic.

What exactly has happened?

To begin with it should be explained the bicycle as a “sales tool” has been used for 20 odd many anyone who has lived here knows the famous “Yakult ladies” who circle the city on the bikes visiting companies and selling health drinks to overworked Tokyoites. Furthermore, as a cost-efficient method of moving about, many city based enterprises happen to be equipping their sales-force with bikes as a means of visiting their customers.

But the bicycle never was seen as a fashion item, or almost anything to covet whatsoever for that matter, but instead as a tool for individuals who couldn’t afford to purchase a motorcycle or scooter. No self-respecting young man would have wanted to be seen riding anything that did not have an electric train engine on it.

Then suddenly, a couple of things happened.

1. The ECO boom found Japan.
2. The emergence of the “Bike-Messenger” as a fashion icon.

The Bike-Messenger effect was undoubtedly the largest and it originated from NY striking Tokyo just like a bomb. Suddenly everyone desired to ride a “fixed-gear” bike there wasn’t any stopping the quantity of Events that circled around bicycle culture or the magazines that grew up around it. The emergence of the “Bike-Custom-Culture” is what has truly spawned the hype around bicycles and people are actually outdoing themselves in trying to make sure that their bike reflects their personality.

Foreign bike companies were obviously quick to pick up about the trend and you can now see shops selling Italian or American bicycles just about wherever you go. Chinese companies quickly copied making them cheaper ensuring that even the ones that do not want to spend 5000US$ on their “pedal-horse” can join the hip and trendy.

Therefore the questions for anyone selling in the Japanese market ought to always be:

1. “How can I created a culture of need around my product”
2. “What cultural need can my product fulfill within the Japanese society”
3. “How can one produce a community around my product/service”

These questions should perhaps be asked not only of Japan but other markets as well. The lessons learned from the Bicycle trend are that if you can fulfill a timely social necessity of being “ECO friendly” along with the everlasting necessity of young adults to “look cool” you have probably stumbled upon a winner.

Bicycles are just plain loads of fun! And you can certainly double or triple your fun by having an electric bike while still retaining the full pedal power option. Battery powered electric motors on bikes are the latest thrilling trend on the planet of bicycling. No sweats, no heart pounding work, not really any pedaling if that is your decision, while enjoying all of the advantages of a bike ride. And just how lucky we’re today with all our nice smooth, hard-surfaced streets, roads and bike paths.

Electric bicycles come in a wide variety of models to select from. Some are pedal assisted, with motor power kicking in with every pedal pump, according to your particular setting. Others have a power off or turn on feature. Quite simply, just pedal as normal, or switch on the ability mode and go with a twist grip throttle.

Bicycling has been a means for commuting for a long period, and also the electric bike is making it much more attractive. The average or typical e-bike will move along about 20 mph and travel around 25 miles on a charge. You can now arrive without having to be all sweated up or dead tired from those hills, head winds and long trips.

A relatively new trend in electric bicycles are the ones sleek and delightful sit down models more resemble a moped scooter than the usual bicycle. However, they are legal bikes and fall under the street rules for bicycles. No licensing is needed so long as the pedals are not removed. This may be just the commuter vehicle you are searching for!

For fitness maintenance or health recovery issues, cycling is fantastic, and electric bicycles fill an important niche here. They are excellent tools to develop looseness and strength gradually without overexerting or harming oneself. You’re employed very little or around desired while getting the needed exercise. And what better place compared to outdoors for a workout! Fresh air, sunshine and also the passing scenery can not be beat.

A seldom talked about sensitive problem for some older men is the enlarged prostate problem. For that cyclist with an enlarged prostate, the electric bicycle is like a gift from heaven. They are able to provide respite from pain or discomfort when needed without needing to stop moving. Just stop pedaling! In fact e-bikes are providing an easy method for cycling and outdoor fun for a lot of with a cripple problem or other health limitations, who does otherwise decline the opportunity.