Most kids learn when they’re 5 or maybe 6, a lack of fear to drive them. I avoided it for years and grew to take alternative routes. “We can bike there?” No, I preferred Uber: “We can split, it’s cheap”. I didn’t see the point if cars were available, buses were cheaper and trains were faster, until it changed when I moved to Japan.
Sustainability is more than just recycling, understanding how your daily activities can be part of a bigger problem is crucial. Entering Japan highlighted the affects of overconsumption as well as sustainable transport. It showed me how to lower my emissions, avoid unnecessary purchases and be mindful of energy usage, especially when it came to abusing my use of Uber back home.
Everyone bikes in Japan, in fact its infamous for being a safe country besides their crime of bike parts being stolen. Bikes improve air quality and widen the area of accessibility, especially in rural Japan, to different communities (1).
My daily commute is quite long and very so often I get late. I check Uber, it’s a heinous amount and so I’m forced to use the train everyday. Crowded in the rat race at 9am, it’s hard at first but it gets better. It gave me time to reflect and enjoy the scenery. I’ve noticed theres less traffic, less honking and more streamlined transport. Experiencing small earthquakes and tremors highlighted Japan’s efficient and resilient infrastructure. Transport is a highly regarded aspect of Japan and fits with sustainable goals as highlighted by the United Nations (2): “Improving social equity, health, resilience of cities, urban-rural linkages and productivity of rural areas.” A major part of Japanese culture is mindfulness and to not cause inconvenience, that goes for transport as well. Streets are cleaner, despite less bins, and so I carry my trash with me. I avoid single use plastic when possible since only only 25% of plastic waste in Japan is actually recycled (3).
Embracing Japan’s culture, I became greener version of myself whilst picking up habits. Sorting trash meticulously was a usual Sunday. However, there was one part of me that could not assimilate; riding a bike.
This eco-friendly mode of transport became the bane of my existence.
It was Christmas day, my birthday! My friend, motivated with passion, decides this is the day I must learn to ride a bike. In Japan it’s common to eat KFC on the 25th, whilst everyone was biting down on their chicken, I was acting like one. At the ripe age of 21, I force myself to push forward and hear cheers from those passing by. At last, I broke my 21 year curse and took a step further in saving the planet.
Maybe I should try learning how to swim next?
(1) https://unric.org/en/sustainable-development-goals-cycling/
(2) https://sdgs.un.org/topics/sustainable-transport
(3) https://zenbird.media/sustainable-development-goals-sdgs-goal-12-responsible-consumption-and-production/
