S-2. Percentage of people over 15 years of age who use only bicycles to commute from their home to work or school
1.Current Values
12.1% (2000)
2.Current Points (out of a perfect score of 100 by 2050)
40 points
Calculation method:
(Current value - minimum value) / (2050 target
value - minimum value) x 100
3. Explanation of Indicator
The Sustainable Mobility Project (SMP)
of the WBCSD defines mobility as "the ability
to meet the needs of society to move freely, gain
access, communicate, trade, and establish relationships
without sacrificing other essential human or ecological
values today or in the future."
SMP cites multiple target areas from aspects including
environment ("conventional" emissions,
greenhouse gas emissions) and safety, noise and
traffic congestion, and access. In view of this,
JFS thinks that it is very important to shrewdly
use a variety of mobility methods in response
to different needs for movement. We are focusing
on the sort of commuting that is relevant and
most familiar to anyone. One can say that commuting
with a bicycle, rather than relying on advanced
transportation technology, is desirable not only
from the environmental point of view, but also
from that of safety and easing of traffic congestion.
Related information:
WBCSD
Sustainable Mobility
4.Target for 2050
30%
5.Ideal for the Future
30%
6. Rationale for Ideal and Target Values
Because the amount of bicycle use depends
upon such things as geography, population density
and the stage of economic development, we referred
to examples of cities with conditions akin to
those of Japanese cities, cities in advanced nations
with high population densities.
According to a 2002 survey conducted by Prof.
John Pucher of Rutgers University in the United
States, bicycle use in Holland accounts for 30%
of all transportation means. Also, in Copenhagen,
Denmark, one-third of the population commutes
to work on bicycles. For the sake of argument,
we have set 30% as both our ideal and our target
level for 2050, matching the levels in these bicycle-using
countries.
It would also be good to have data that included
not just bicycle commuting, but commuting on foot
and by public transport as well. Speaking from
the viewpoint of not only the environment but
also health and easing of congestion, the Japanese
Learned Society for a Bicycle Society has proposed
in its "25-25 plan", that walking, bicycles,
and public transport should each be at 25% by
the year 2050
7. Source
8. Notes
*WBCSD: World Business Council for Sustainable
Development