On two wheels. Cycling Kyoto.

Planning our two day visit to Kyoto has turned out to be a more challenging thing to do than I had anticipated. There's just so much to see and the major sights are located all around the city. With so little time and so much to see and do, we need to be able to get from one place to another as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

Kyoto does have a subway system as well as an extensive bus system but the stops are not exactly located at the front door step of the temple. Plus, in the spring, when the city is spilling over with tourists, public transportation can be crowded and slow.

So, thanks to a suggestion that my brother got from our cousin Sandy, we're planning on navigating our way around Kyoto on bicycle!  Of course, bro is a cycling fanatic so this will be easy peasy for him and I know he will enjoy the physical activity so in exchange for him having to endure the Miyako Odori and bunraku for me, I will do this for him.

I'm not much of a bicyclist but the adage is true, once you've ridden a bicycle, you never forget how to!  The last time I did any cycling was on my trip to Xi'an, China and I survived that okay so I think I'm up for the Kyoto cycling challenge......I hope :-)

Kyoto is made for bicycling as most of the city is flat sloping slightly as you head north and the streets are laid out in a grid format. 

There are only a few streets in Kyoto that have designated bike lanes so most of the time, you're sharing the road with the four wheeled vehicles.  I'm definitely not keen on riding in high traffic areas but Kyoto has a lot of side/back streets that are quieter and probably much more interesting to pass through from a tourist's perspective.

When I Googled "Kyoto cycle", the first hit that came back was for a company called Kyoto Cycling Tour Project (KCTP). The company not only rents different models of bikes, all at extremely reasonable daily rates, but it also provides conducted tours. KCTP is located very near to the JR Kyoto Train Station and has locations around the city so they are a good option to go with. I also found another company called J-Cycle. Not as conveniently located around town as KCTP, bike rental rates about the same BUT J-Cycle rents electric bicycles! How cool is that?!?!  J-Cycle also provides a very nice cycling map that has various routes, taking you to all the major temples and shrines.

Cycle Kyoto is another useful resource if you want to explore the possibility of cycling your way through Kyoto.  The site provides information on the bicycling laws in Japan and punishment should you break a law.

RULES

Follow the rules of the road (e.g., stop at red lights). Cycling on sidewalks is banned (however some sidewalks do permit cycling). Yield to pedestrians. Bicycles must be equipped with the following: a light in front, a reflector in the rear, and a bell. All bicycles must be registered with the prefectural police department.  Children 12 and under are required to wear helmets. Riding two on one bike is not permitted.

CRIME & PUNISHMENT

Running a red light: Up to three months imprisonment and/or a fine of 50,000 yen or less. Riding side by side: Up to two months imprisonment and/or a fine of 20,000 yen or less. Riding on the wrong side of the road: Up to three months imprisonment and/or a fine of 50,000 yen or less. Riding without a light at night: Fine of 50,000 yen or less. Riding while intoxicated: Up to five years imprisonment and/or a fine of 1,000,000 yen or less. Riding while holding an umbrella: Fine of 50,000 yen or less.  <= Only in Japan! Riding two to a bike: Fine of 20,000 yen or less. Riding in a designated pedestrian zone: Up to three months imprisonment and/or a fine of 50,000 yen or less.

Renting a bicycle and cycling around Kyoto all seems pretty straightforward and I'm looking forward to a leisurely ride on the back streets, especially through the Gion.  Even the bicycle laws are just rules based on common sense and courtesy, nothing illogical.  The one thing I've not yet been able to figure out is where to park the bicycles when we're visiting the temples and shrines.  I guess we'll find out when we get to Kyoto.