mamachari

They're a common sight on the hilly streets of Tokyo, where "mamachari" bikes with baskets and kid seats over the wheels are the norm. eneloop electric hybrid bicycles whose lithium ion batteries can recharge while the bike is being pedaled on level terrain.

Crave: The gadget blog Tim Hornyak 2010

Along with that, however, the venerable urban biking tradition of moms (and some dads and grandparents) carrying two children on their low-slung safety bikes called 'mamachari'

TreeHugger 2009

I don't think this electric assist bike is going to be for everyone - far from it. eneloop has a fairly girly feel in its design, and seems to be catering to women riders, with its mamachari design.

TreeHugger 2010

So, the government has said it will be lenient on old-fashioned mamachari bicycles for awhile while new bikes come down in price.

TreeHugger 2009

When you see pictures of mamachari bikes with one little one nestled in the dip between the handlebars and another over the back wheel, you could be excused for feeling a bit of trepidation.

TreeHugger 2009

Click forward to see a fully pimped out mamachari bicycle and read more about Japanese cycling.

TreeHugger 2009

That, of course, wasn't exactly satisfactory to parents, as the new, stronger bikes are much more expensive than the typical mamachari bikes now in use.

TreeHugger 2009

But the government's decision to outlaw 2-kids-on-a-bike was pretty shortsighted, and protests lead to a lifting of the ban, and instead legislating that mamachari bikes become safer - with among other things, a reinforced frame - and that the safer bikes become mandatory.

TreeHugger 2009

When the government tried to ban the mamachari with two babyseats, mothers all over Japan protested in a massive campaign.

TreeHugger 2008

Nope, the mamachari is not particularly sexy, but it is easy to ride and always comes with a basket up front.

TreeHugger 2008

Mamachari, a slang term literally meaning “mom’s bike,” are Japan’s ubiquitous city bicycles.

“Mamachari”: Japan’s Iconic Bicycle 2020

Mamachari are utility bicycles relied on by families for a variety of basic transportation needs, including lugging groceries from the supermarket, getting to the train station, or shuttling children to and from kindergarten or daycare.

“Mamachari”: Japan’s Iconic Bicycle 2020