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Avoiding infection risk on packed trains? Rent a bike.

By on May 28, 2020

Although there are precautions taken by taxi companies to minimize infection risk such as vinyl partitioning, the 2-meter distance is not an option. Being directly coughed on or sneezed on by someone with the virus inside packed trains or taxi can happen even when you’re wearing a mask.

Whether you’re running errands or commuting to work or school, the best way to avoid the “three Cs” is to rent a car or ride a bicycle.

Riding a bicycle, being the cheaper option, lets you travel around the city three times as fast as walking and bicycles can be parked even in narrow spaces.

If cycling works better for you, here are the places where you can rent a bicycle in Tokyo.

Community Cycle   

Telecommunications giant NTT Docomo-sponsored electric bikes offer a convenient, affordable service for residents and tourists. Register online and have cash or credit card ready to pay for your ride. Whether you need a bike for 30-mins, 24 hours or every month, you can grab a bike from any docking station near you by punching the code to unlock it. The convenience of using Community cycle is that you can return the bike in any docking port of your choice within the designated area. The service is available in 14 wards in Tokyo, Kanagawa and Yokohama.

CogiCogi 

CogiCogi’s docking ports are around Shibuya, Daikanyama, Nakameguro, Jiyugaoka, Asakusa, or Ikebukuro. Unlike Community Cycle where you just hop in after paying, renting an electric bike here requires that you fill up a reservation form by 4 pm and depending on availability, you can ride on the same day.  The set price for 1 day is (¥2,400), 2 days(¥3,600), 3 days(¥4,800), 4 days(¥6,000). Get a quote for longer terms.

Switch Bikes

Switch Bikes is possibly the cheapest option in central Tokyo. Rental fee is on a monthly basis with the most standard one at ¥2,750 a month. The company delivers the bicycle to your place, repair it for free and what’s more,  insurance is included in the fee. If you sign up until June 30, 2020, you get a discount of ¥1,000.

Mom Bike Rental (MBR)

In Tokyo, a bicycle is more than just a means of transportation. It’s a necessity. It’s not uncommon to see moms riding a bike with one child up front and another one in the back. Renting a mamachari (mom bikes) instead of owning one has its advantages when you think about your changing needs as a family. MBR rents out 2-3 seater electric bicycles and will modify seats as your kid grows and replace the batteries for free. When it’s time to leave Japan, you don’t have to worry about disposal and paper work which makes it a practical choice for families who are here for a few years.

+ 1 seat

+ 1 seat

1 month-3 months   11,000 yen a month ( 8,800 yen a month on 4th month renewal) 6-months 8,800 yen a month (5,500 yen a month by 7th month renewal) 1  year: 5,500 yen a month (4,950 yen a month after 1 year) 2 years 4,950 yen (4,400 yen a month after 2 years)

+2 seats

1 month-3 months   11,000 yen a month ( 8,800 yen a month on 4th month renewal) 6-months 8,800 yen a month (5,500 yen a month by 7th month renewal) 1  year: 5,500 yen a month (4,950 yen a month after 1 year) 2 years 4,950 yen (4,400 yen a month after 2 years)

 

 

 

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