Bicycles are still incredibly popular in Tokyo. Whether it’s merely popping out to the shops, or rushing to make a train, the trusty bike is invariably what people turn to. Pretty much all people too, regardless of age, gender or social status.
At the same time, these environmentally friendly workhorses are often deemed as dispensable as they are indispensable, and the long-forgotten machines below are a mere fraction of the many thousands discarded each and every year.
Mari says
Wonderful series, but as one who loves her street bike, sad while being beautiful.
Lee says
Thank you. Yes, same here. Very attached to my bike, so these discarded ones do have a certain sadness.
Linda says
Love this. The bicycle being reclaimed by nature is one of my favorite genres of Tokyo photo.
Lee says
Cheers. They definitely have something about them, and always a treat to find a new one.
Carl says
These are so interesting! I think my favorite is the 2nd with the mixture of trash and nature but so hard to choose.
Lee says
Thank you. Yeah, that one is quite special. Seen bike baskets full of all kinds of rubbish, but never covered in plant life as well.
john says
Amazing! Some of these are like Takashi Amano ‘Alleyscapes’; attention to detail and anything but ‘casual’.
Lee says
Thank you. Haha, that bike name has always amused me. No idea what the thinking was there.
john says
I can see a bad B-Movie here… ‘The day of the Triffids .. they are back, and on bicycles’.
Could they have their tendrils set on a yellow jersey (buttercup) to take home?
Lee says
That would be quite a film, and yellow jersey or not, they’d have the green one from the get go.
Stephan says
Awesome series such a variety of bicycles!
Lee says
Thank you. Yes, bikes for all sorts, and all ages!
Paul says
I would like to know every story behind these bicycles.
Each time I went to Tokyo, I saw abandonned -but not threw away like garbage- bicycles. Sometimes motorcycles.
the way it stays untouched for years is something we can’t even imagine here in France, sadly.
Lee says
Yeah, me too. Some would appear to be pretty straightforward. Looks like they broke and simply never got fixed, or indeed moved. Then others are far more intriguing, and appear to have quite a history.
Japan is far from perfect, but yes, the way things can be left untouched is definitely one of the country’s better points. Why that isn’t the same elsewhere I don’t know…
cdilla says
It’s wonderful how elegant and beautiful nature can make an abandoned tangle of metal and rubber. Photographs 2 and 3 especially. I like the design of number 6. Looks almost home made. But the one in the curving tunnel (dirt bike stadium?) is my favourite. Did you revisit recently?
Lee says
It really is, isn’t it? Like they take on a new left after being abandoned.
The one in the tunnel is the one I’d like to take home and fix up. Totally impractical I imagine, and I’m too old to be riding around on something like that, but it appeals nonetheless. A bit lIke a grown up Raleigh Chopper.
But nah, no revisit, although I do wonder if it’s still there. Just used the photo I already had. Oh, and it was in bowels of a keirin velodrome.
John says
Wonderful collection Lee! I’m partial to the bikes getting hugs from plants.
Lee says
Thanks a lot! Yeah, it’s a surprisingly appealing sight. Sad in some ways, but at the same time not a bad way for them to enjoy their retirement.