An Example in Nerima City

Nerima City in the northwest end of Tokyo's 23 Cities, organizing "national bicycle problem local government liaison council" and mayor Iwanami Saburo (April, 2003 retired) becoming the chairman of it etc. and taking the maximum lead of local governments all over the country in the counter measure against ""hochi" (left)" bicycle", is notorious. So, it is the headquarter of abusing bicycle by local governments and administrative authorities in Japan. And recent years, neglecting bicycle user's status and right, the basis of excuses, such as a "beneficiary charge", it is getting worse further.

Nerima City Hall (left; 2002.11.30) Prohibiting "hochi" (right; 2003.3.28)

This is the type of the gorgeous Government building built at the bubble term. It needs a large amount of expense for not only construction but maintenance and management, as a result the finances of the local government are to be exhausted. It seems that overbearing appearance and an overbearing color are reflecting the posture over a bicycle. The Nerima City authority calls the storage of such a bicycle "shuseki (accumulation)". As well as "hochi" and "tekkyo (removal)", these terms shows City authority treats such a bicycle like a garbage. (Please reference with "Situation of Bicycle in Japanese Cities")

Nerima City authorities' oppressive bicycle hostile policy

The main thing which Nerima City authorities have pursued with "national bicycle problem local government liaison council" (the "conference" names itself "zenjiren" in short) is authority strengthening of the local government concerning the counter measure against ""hochi" bicycle". The "conference" having been lobbying which asks for "revision" -- it will be "change for the worse" if it sees from a bicycle user -- of "the law about promotion of safe use of bicycle and maintenance of bicycle parking" (so-called "bicycle organic act") briskly (in short, put a pressure), Nerima City authorities were taking the lead at a head. Moreover, by controlling the "conference", they made the bicycle "counter measure" by administration authorities - local governments in Japan stupid and oppressive. (Please reference with "Down with "national bicycle problem local government liaison council"")

It is well known that Nerima City authorities continues to exhauste not only building a gorgeous city hall building at a bubble term which needs a large amount of expenses constantly to a subsequent maintenance cost besides construction costs, but disposing and changing fixtures and equipment of city institution for a short period. Although considering the economic situation of these days, it seems to be hard for the Nerima City authorities to find the new object for expenditure, in fact, that is not right. This is applicable for them to infinite expenditure.

In Nerima City, it is said that no less than 1 billion yen is poured into "counter measure" against ""hochi" bicycle" every year. It means that "counter measure" against ""hochi" bicycle" is ideal object to waste which arises benefit and power for the city authorities, and able to be bigger by them arbitrarily without free competition or the market mechanism. So, "counter measure" against ""hochi" bicycle" is just a "Fortunatus' purse" for the Nerima City authorities. We should realize and look out for that such a hypertrophy of the power -- along with increasing benefit -- that is no relation with improvement in residents service, is so dangerous.

In many cases, those who have problems in the nature as a public servant and even as a member of society, take charge of "counter measure" against bicycle in the administration authorities-local government of whole the country. So to speak, it is the "accumulation" place of such a person unable to serve in other sections. But in Nerima City, such fellows made with the background the huge power and benefit, utilizing activity of the "conference" for strengthening ties with the mayor, use for their success.

We should impeach such a anti-environmental and anti-people bicycle hostile policy by Nerima City authorities, and reform radically.

Bicycle use environment

Nerima City is convenient for bicycle use in geographical feature -- flat and few steep hill. Although it is good for bicycle use as everyday move means, such as shopping, there is distance in accessing to direct center of Tokyo by the bicycle too much. Therefore, in commutation, the demand of park and ride bicycle use increases. Such bicycles made the victims of bicycle hostile policy and exploitation from the people by the Nerima City authorities.