No.153 Designation of the Tokyo Tama 2020 Legacy Course

The section of the course used for the road cycling event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the city has been designated as a model route for cycle tourism by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's "GOOD CYCLE JAPAN" on August 15, and has been published on the ministry's website.

On October 25th, a joint press conference was held by the eight cities along the course (Hachioji City, Mitaka City, Fuchu City, Chofu City, Machida City, Koganei City, Tama City, and Inagi City). According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's website,

1. Around the world, the concept of valuing QOL = Quality of Life is spreading, and this is no exception when it comes to people's mobility. The use of bicycles is gaining attention in various countries as a form of mobility that contributes to QOL, not just in terms of speed and efficiency.
2. Bicycles are an environmentally friendly mode of mobility, as well as a tool for health promotion and leisure enhancement through cycling, expanding people's activities, and facilitating communication that connects individuals with the community and with each other.
3. In Japan, the Bicycle Utilization Promotion Act was promulgated in December 2016. This is not a traditional regulatory law, but a fundamental law aimed at actively promoting the use of bicycles. Based on this law, a Bicycle Utilization Promotion Plan was decided by the Cabinet, and the national government, together with local governments, businesses, and private organizations, will specifically promote the use of bicycles.
4. GOOD CYCLE JAPAN is a term that refers to this all-Japan initiative, based on the idea that if more people ride bicycles, a good cycle of "happiness" will occur in Japan! The initiative aims to promote development mainly in four areas: "environment," "health," "tourism," and "safety."

The purpose mentioned above is published. In order to realize these principles, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has designated the following two routes.

National Cycle Route

A project to develop cycling routes equipped with functions such as rest areas, accommodation, and information dissemination through public-private partnerships nationwide, in order to promote tourism region development through the use of bicycles. Currently, six routes including the Shimanami Kaido have been designated.

Model Route for Promoting Cycle Tourism

A council has been established with stakeholders aiming to develop an advanced cycling environment, working in partnership between the public and private sectors to improve the riding environment, reception environment, and information dissemination, as well as to set up core routes that cross municipalities. Currently, a total of 101 routes have been designated.

The route designated for us eight cities this time is approximately 38 kilometers long, continuing from Musashino no Mori Park, Minami-Tama Ridge Main Line, Tama New Town Street, to the border of Sagamihara City, and it is almost the same route as the Olympic course.

In the future, we would like to convey to future generations that the eight collaborating cities were part of the Tokyo 2020 Games course, as well as promote tourism and highlight the attractions of the Tama region, encourage the use of bicycles, and conduct safe driving workshops.

In addition, regarding the course of the Tokyo 2020 Games, the sections in Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture have already received similar designations, and there is an intention to receive designations for the Kanagawa Prefecture section (Sagamihara City). Therefore, we will strive to connect the starting point at Musashino no Mori Park to the finish point at Fuji Speedway.