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Illegally parking bicycles is a persistent problem in Japan, and one creative train station has come up with a new strategy to stop people from leaving bikes where they shouldn’t – by putting cute illustrations done by children on the ground!
As someone who commutes by bicycle, I am often tempted to just park my bike wherever I can find a solid piece of metal to lean the vehicle on. In fact, I have been guilty of being the owner of that bike that is randomly chained to a stop sign or road lamp because I couldn’t find a better place to park. However, if I were to see these adorable children’s drawings on the ground, I probably wouldn’t have the heart to put my wheels over them. That seems to be the exact intention this particular train station in Japan had when they came up with this plan to battle irresponsible bicycle owners.
Japanese netizens are quick to point out in sarcasm that this might not work on everyone:
“Even with this in place, I bet there are still people who will park as they like.”
“That second one looks like the kid had to rush their work right before it was due.”
“This is terrorism to kindness.”
“If I were there, I’d draw my own pictures next to those.”
Do you think a strategy like this would work? We sure hope that people (myself included) will start to park their bicycles more responsibly with this new implementation!
Source/Image: Alfalfalfa
Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Bicycle helmet law enforced in Ehime, failure to comply is punishable by… we don’t know -- Walking Bicycle Club looks to change the way we ride, angers internet with promotional video -- From Kyoto: The bicycle you can ride while wearing a kimono
© RocketNews24
8 Comments
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MissingCylonModel
The second one looks like the kid had to rush their work before it was due.
turbotsat
Bolt cutters and fines work, too.
nath
Fines don't work. Neither does impounding them all been tried before. Cute idea but I don't think it will make a difference.
JoeLarabell
Fines would work if they'd come around to pick up the errant bicycles more than once a month... or even if it was at random times. As it is, I can look at the signs to see the last time they came around and, if it's within a week or two, I know I'm safe.
That said... I probably wouldn't want to be the first to park over the pictures but I might if a bunch of bikes are already there. That means it's up to the lowest ass in the neighborhood to break the ice then the congestion starts again. But it's better than doing nothing at all.
nath
They should be looking at ways to increase bicycle usage, not prevent it. Better than people commuting by gasoline powered automobiles.
timtak
The Japanese feeling highly identified with the visual world and while they can say "I'm stupid" they really do not like looking bad, or visually denigrating things that they like and admire, such as, famously, "stepping stones" (or fumie) used to test whether Japanese were Christians or not. The Edo period authorities new that if they just asked the Japanese "Are you a Christian" they would prevaricate "No, I have given up on that (and will take it up again tomorrow)," "No (but I am still trying to become one)." But if they were forced to stamp on an effigy of the Holy Virgin, they would not be able to do it.
Brian Wheway
why don't they provide more modern secure bicycle storage rather than alienating them?
kikokiko
They should make more parking areas rather than making strategies to prevent it. If someone parked his or her bicycle on the children's drawings, it makes children sad.