Bikes are a familiar sight on city streets in Japan, but parking space is at a premium, and bike theft is a growing problem. Yet where some folks see problems, others see opportunities. Here’s one Japanese entrepreneur’s answer to the bicycle parking “problem.” I suppose you could call it a bike shed, but it’s like no bike shed I’ve ever seen! Check it out for yourself:

 
Quite something, isn’t it? Now take a look at the bicycle facilities on offer at a government office in my corner of New York’s Far North:

A rickety “wheel bender,” tethered to a flag pole with a rusty dog chain. And the bike parking at private businesses is no better. Kipling was right: “East is East and West is West….” It’s easy to see where the future lies.

 
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