Current status and potential of Yokohama City's electric-assist bicycle subsidy | Latest analysis in 2025

Yokohama City's official position and background

According to the Yokohama City Bicycle Promotion Office, as of March 2025, the official response is that "there are no plans to introduce a subsidy system for the purchase of electric assist bicycles" [Response data to citizen voices]. There are three factors behind this decision:

  1. Balance with various modes of transportation Ensuring fairness for approximately 3.74 million residents (estimated for 2024), including those who use cars, buses, and walkers

  2. Infrastructure Development Priority Strategy
    62% of the FY2024 budget will be allocated to the construction of bicycle-only roads (82km of new roads) and the expansion of bicycle parking facilities.

  3. Financial soundness policy: Strict screening of new businesses in line with the city's outstanding bond of 1.2 trillion yen (estimated for the end of fiscal 2024)

Comparison data for major cities nationwide

According to a survey by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (January 2024), six out of 20 designated cities have introduced subsidy systems for electric-assist bicycles:

City name Subsidy amount Eligibility
Kawasaki City
  • Up to 30,000 yen
  • Childcare households
  • Energy-saving models only
Sendai City
  • 20% of the purchase price
  • 65 years and older only
Fukuoka City
  • 15,000 yen flat rate
  • Applies to all commercially available models

Experts predict the future

According to an analysis by the Bicycle Policy Institute (February 2025), the conditions that will increase the likelihood of subsidies being granted in Yokohama City are:

  1. The need to meet national standards Pressure to meet the Ministry of the Environment's "40% EV penetration rate by 2030" target

  2. Success stories from neighboring cities: After Kawasaki City launched its subsidy program, the rate of electric-assist bicycle accidents decreased by 27% (2024 data)

  3. Quantifying citizen requests Once the ongoing signature campaign reaches 50,000 signatures, the matter may be formally discussed in the city council.

Solve your frequently asked questions with Q&A!

Q. Can Yokohama residents use subsidies from other cities?
A. Not possible due to residency requirements (e.g. Kawasaki City's system is limited to city residents)

Q. Is the subsidy eligible for business use?
A. Possibility of being included in the "Green Logistics Promotion Project" currently under consideration (FY2025 budget proposal)

Data-based effect prediction

According to a simulation by the Ministry of the Environment (revised January 2025), if Yokohama City were to introduce the subsidy system:

Effect items Numerical prediction Conversion basis
CO2 reduction amount
  • 4,200 tons per year
  • Each cedar tree absorbs 14kg per year (Ministry of the Environment data)
  • Calculation formula: 4,200,000kg ÷ 14kg/piece = 300,000 pieces
Reduce medical costs
  • 870 million yen per year
  • Disease prevention effects of exercise habits:
    • 34% reduction in risk of developing diabetes (WHO study)
    • Reduce medical expenses for cardiovascular disease by approximately 50,000 yen per person per year
Traffic accident rate
  • Expected to decrease by 18%
  • Assuming a 20% reduction in car driving distance
  • Bicycle accident coefficient (National Police Agency statistics):
    • Car accident rate: 0.7 cases/1,000 cars
    • Bicycle accident rate: 0.2 per 1,000 bicycles