This Is Not For Road Racing
31 July, 2008
For any who don’t know what a mama chari is, your sojourn in the dark abyss of ignorance is over. A mama chari is a bike ridden by virtually every citizen of Japan. It’s functional, almost to the point of being disposable. To borrow a concept I once read, the mama chari is truly an “appliance” not a “sporting good.” The Japan Life blog illustrates (in flawless Engrish):
Especially Japanese mothers usually ride on the bicycle for taking a child to and from kindergarten and going to buy some foods for dinner. Therefore, we named the bicycle as “mama chari” in Japanese. Almost of Japanese including men use bicycles of mama chari type. This is not for road racing.
The terrific thing about a mama chari is its utility. It has been ridden all over Japan for years, and as the Japan Life blog points out, nearly every person rides one. Though not well suited to long trips or road racing, the mama chari is perfect for running to the store, transporting children, getting to and from the train station, and commuting to work or school.
I realize this is a blog about cycling in Utah Valley, and we don’t see that many (if any) Japanese bikes around town. But how cool would it be to see a flock of mama charis in front of Wal-Mart?
