[midoridensha]

We have bicycle registration in Tokyo. Cops will sometimes stop people and check that they aren't riding a stolen bicycle, and if your bicycle is reported stolen and recovered, they'll bring it back to you. Registration costs about USD$5.

Tons of people bicycle here just to get around, including mothers with small children. They have bicycles which have 2 child seats. In newer areas, there's bicycle parking lots everywhere: in apartment towers, at the mall, at the grocery store, etc. Bike parking lots don't take up much space unlike car parking lots. In older areas, people just park wherever: on the sidewalk in front of the convenience store, on the side of the street, etc.