Almost every Japanese household has one and they are an ever-present sight outside of shops and railway stations. Japan's most common bicycle, the "mamachari" (literally mom's bike), is used by people of all ages for short trips around the neighborhood.
But now these utility bicycles are becoming increasingly popular with Londoners looking for cheap yet reliable bikes that won't be targeted by the capital's prolific thieves.
Mechanic Noah Fisher, who used to live in Japan, has imported 475 secondhand mamachari from Japan and is selling them at an East London shop he opened in June with his wife, Ran.