While automakers are suffering from slumping sales amid the global economic downturn and accelerating efforts to develop green cars to spur new demand, the traditional green vehicle — the bicycle — is becoming more popular.
"Usually, bicycles sell well in the high season of summer and business is slow when it gets colder, but this year we have remained very busy," said Daisuke Nishikoori, manager of the Y's Road bicycle chain's outlet in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district.
Consumers' growing awareness of health issues and the surge in gasoline prices to record levels in 2008 have increased bicycles' appeal, while a wider variety of lineups and fashionable outfits for cycling have attracted more people, he said.