First infiltration of a camera: A "huge bicycle parking lot" directly connected to the subway... Expectations are rising as a trump card to eliminate "abandoned bicycles" [from Hokkaido]

The center of Sapporo City is undergoing redevelopment. Not only the surface is changing, but also the underground is changing. A camera sneaks into a large underground bicycle parking lot that is about to open in spring. Behind the opening of the business was the number of abandoned bicycles, which is one of the largest in Japan.

Redevelopment is progressing steadily around JR Sapporo Station and in the Odori and Susukino districts. In April 2022, the largest municipal bicycle parking lot in central Sapporo will open in the Odori district.

At the exit of Tanukikoji 2-chome arcade, there is an entrance to the bicycle parking lot. It seems to be connected to Odori subway station.

A bicycle parking lot is built under the road from Minami 1-jo Nishi 2-chome to Minami 2-jo Nishi 2-chome, which is lined with department stores and large commercial facilities, and is easily accessible from the Tanukikoji shopping street.

After about six years of construction, cameras were finally allowed to infiltrate.

Camera first infiltration... The whole picture of a huge bicycle parking lot

Mr. Masato Kumeda, Manager of Sapporo City Bicycle Countermeasures Division:The descent is on the right side, and it goes down while applying the brakes. The left side is a belt conveyor, and when going up, you can carry your bicycle on the belt conveyor while going up. Bicycle parking under the road is rare

When you go down the slope of about 70m, an 80m long bicycle parking lot spreads out in front of you. Accommodates 1,300 bicycles and mopeds.

Efficient use of limited space with a ``two-level structure''

Mr. Masato Kumeda, Manager of Sapporo City Bicycle Countermeasures Division: There are many department stores in the area, and in that sense, this would be a good place. Land is very expensive in the city. There are many buildings and it is difficult to secure a bicycle parking lot. It was made with two layers to make effective use of the limited space in the city center.

We secured space for 600 bicycles and mopeds on the first basement floor, and 700 bicycles on the second basement floor.

The fee is either paid each time the bicycle is parked, or is scheduled to be used regularly, such as 1500 yen per month.

"Directly connected" to the subway... Able to come and go without going above ground

Construction is underway to allow access to the bicycle parking lot from the Odori Subway Station concourse. A bicycle parking lot entrance/exit is set up near Exit 36 ​​of Odori Station, allowing people to come and go without going above ground. The convenience of people who use it for commuting to work or school is also considered.

A bicycle parking lot built between the road and the subway. People involved in the construction recall that the construction was extremely difficult, but there was a reason why the city of Sapporo had to build a bicycle parking lot in the center of the city.

A trump card to solve the serious problem of abandoned bicycles...

Mr. Masato Kumeda, Manager of Sapporo City Bicycle Countermeasures Division: There were many bicycles parked on the street, making it difficult for pedestrians to walk.

In a survey conducted by the Cabinet Office in 2015 on abandoned bicycles around stations, Sapporo was the third most populated area after Yokohama and Nagoya.

The city of Sapporo has improved its bicycle parking lot, and the number of abandoned bicycles has decreased to more than 2,600 in 2021, but illegal parking on the street has not disappeared.

We are aiming to eliminate abandoned bicycles by setting up an underground bicycle parking lot.

Mr. Masato Kumeda, Manager of Sapporo City Bicycle Countermeasures Division: Although it caused trouble for people along the road and passers-by, it is finally nearing completion. I've made a great product, so I want many people to use it

Sapporo is changing not only above ground, but also underground. The parking lot is scheduled to open in April.

The bicycle parking lot will be located directly under the road between Nishi 2-chome and 1-chome on Minami 1-jo and Minami 2-jo streets, making it a convenient location for access to department stores and the Tanukikoji shopping arcade.

The outline of "Nishi 2-chome bicycle parking lot" is as follows.・Accommodates about 1,300 vehicles (bicycles: about 1,220, mopeds: about 80) ・Scheduled to open in April ・Charged (100 yen per ride) ・Directly connected to Odori Subway Station midnight

Is it possible to make effective use of the underground space and make it an attractive city of Sapporo? It seems that a huge bicycle parking lot holds a big key.

(Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting)