Aside from Japanese’ love for riding trains, there’s another mode of transportation that you can usually spot among the people of Japan. It’s the Mama Chari or the classic city bike which comes in different styles and colors. Mama Chari is a play of words. Mama means “mother” and Chari is the informal word for “bicycle.”
These bikes are tailored for mothers with children. There’s an attached basket in front and can be mounted by a child seat at the back or sometimes two child seats in front and at the back. Mama Chari are cheap, too. It costs around 10,000 Yen - 20,000 Yen depending on the style. Did you know that the government once banned carrying two children on Mama Chari? Mothers all over Japan rallied against it and the government had no choice but to lift the ban.
But not only that, Mama Chari isn’t just for mothers with children. Almost everyone rides Mama Chari! From parents to children, students to employees. They’re just so convenient that they use Mama Chari in making trips to the grocery store, going to school and for running errands.
Although it’s not the most attractive bicycle that you could ever own, It’s certainly the best to have in your day to day living. It’s convenient, it’s useful therefore it's a must have!
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