Hi, Dennis and list members,
If I may, I have to throw in some more explanation this matter.
Yes, you are right, bicycle are NOT necessarly primary sourse of transportation even since 1950's. They have massive rail and highway transportation including one of the fastest railroad net work, however; by far, their physical space is very limited.
Imagine 130 + million educated, hardwarking, industrious people packed in the area of states as California and Oregon, and 90% area is non cultivated mountains! I suppose that per SQ mile, they must have 15 to 20 times more poeple than USA. I saw local railroad station has hundreds of commuting bikes parked, or some station has 3 story high parking garage for only bikes, you pay monthly fee for parking as we do here in the US for autos. In 2000 SQ ft. building you will probably see 1000 bikes parked. Many many people still ride bikes less than mile from his/her home to local masstrasit station.
In this manner, bike is one of primary source of transportation beside "on foot" while we use autos to get around. And here in the US, bike is a more likely sporting goods.
Do not forget another fact, which is Japan is still No. 2 economic power house next the US, they do have resources to buy a 1000.00 JUY deraillure etc., whatever they wish. The physical limitation to collet and park automoble is beyond our imaginations, but you can see some bike lover can hold/hang several bikes in living rooms and hallway of their homes.
For my 2 yens,
KEN TODA, who got away from Japan to get more space but still riding/collecting bikes?
High Point, NC, USA