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:
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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
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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. -
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 household + energy saving model |
| Sendai City | 20% of 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:
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The need to meet national standards Pressure to meet the Ministry of the Environment's "40% EV penetration rate by 2030" target
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Success stories from neighboring cities: After Kawasaki City launched its subsidy program, the rate of electric-assist bicycle accidents decreased by 27% (2024 data)
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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:
| item | Prediction effect |
|---|---|
| CO2 reduction amount | 4,200 tons per year (equivalent to 300,000 cedar trees) |
| Reduce medical expenses | 870 million yen per year (due to increased exercise habits) |
| Traffic accident rate | Expected decrease of 18% |