25 Years of Change: Public Bicycle Rentals on the Shimanami Kaido

2026/2/52026/2/6

Using public bicycle rental usage data from the Shimanami Kaido, I organize the story of its development alongside the broader historical context—from a short-lived boom and a long preparation period, to rapid growth and the changes seen after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking at bicycle rental numbers

Exploring how the Shimanami Kaido has changed

Since the Shimanami Kaido opened in 1999, its public bicycle rental system has mainly been used by beginners and leisure-oriented travelers. The number of rentals—recorded as “bicycle rental usage”—is, in my view, a very clear indicator of how the Shimanami Kaido gradually became known as a cycling destination and how its role has evolved over time.

In this article, using public bicycle rental data from fiscal year 1999 to fiscal year 2024, I divide the overall trend into four phases and take a closer look at what was happening in each period. Rather than attributing increases or decreases to a single cause, I want to focus on the broader 흐ow behind the numbers and the changing role of public rental bicycles. Through this perspective, I hope to reflect on what public bicycle rentals mean for the Shimanami Kaido today—and what they may represent in the future.

The data used in this article has been compiled and reorganized by me based on information published by organizations such as Shimanami Japan (official), the Ehime Prefectural Government (Cycling New Culture Promotion Division), the Onomichi City official website, and the Honshu–Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company (JB Honshi Expressway), as well as additional details obtained through direct inquiries.

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Public bicycle rental data

I have visualized the number of public bicycle rentals on the Shimanami Kaido in a graph. Since the opening in 1999, the management, rental terminals, and the checkout/return system of public bicycles have changed significantly, but the statistics on rental numbers have been continuously published since 1999.

The detailed figures for each year are as follows:

Year	Number of Rentals
1999	70,010
2000	44,808
2001	34,806
2002	32,162
2003	31,947
2004	30,477
2005	29,896
2006	35,478
2007	39,034
2008	41,926
2009	52,179
2010	48,178
2011	60,949
2012	74,872
2013	81,851
2014	116,303
2015	135,229
2016	141,205
2017	149,740
2018	132,075
2019	149,365
2020	74,928
2021	70,927
2022	121,810
2023	127,458
2024	135,732

Note: The years shown on this page (such as 2019 or 2024) refer to the Japanese fiscal year. In Japan, a fiscal year runs from April to March of the following year, and all figures and analysis in this article are based on this period.

Dividing the trend into four phases

To better understand the trends in public bicycle rentals and the broader context of the Shimanami Kaido, I have divided the timeline into the following four phases.

Phase ① covers the immediate post-opening boom and its subsequent decline (1999–2005). Phase ② represents the period when signs of recovery began to appear (2006–2012). Phase ③ marks the rapid growth phase, when the Shimanami Kaido began to attract international attention (2013–2019). Phase ④ reflects the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent recovery (2020–2024). In each phase, I will explore the historical and social background of the Shimanami Kaido in more detail.

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Phase ① 1999–2005

The immediate post-opening boom and its decline

In 1999, when the Shimanami Kaido first opened, public bicycle rentals reached around 70,000. The newness of the route drew attention, and the feature of being able to cross the bridges on foot or by bicycle was widely highlighted. Compared to earlier-opened routes like the Seto Ohashi, the Shimanami Kaido seemed to have a stronger appeal as a sightseeing destination.

However, rental numbers declined each year afterward, falling to about 30,000 by 2005—less than half of the initial level. This change in numbers suggests that the high interest immediately after the opening did not last long.

At that time, the Shimanami Kaido was not yet fully prepared as a “cycling tourism” destination. The attractions of the route and the unique experiences on each island were not widely known, and there was very little promotion centered on cycling. Once the novelty wore off, usage declined rapidly.

Phase ② 2006–2012

Signs of recovery begin to appear

From 2006 onward, the number of public bicycle rentals on the Shimanami Kaido began a gradual recovery. After falling to around 30,000 in 2005, rentals slowly increased, and by 2012, they had surpassed the opening-year level of 70,000.

During this period, the perception of the Shimanami Kaido gradually shifted. Previously known primarily among experienced cyclists as a route connecting Shikoku and Honshu, it began to be recognized as a well-suited course for cycling. The development of cycling paths progressed steadily, and the route was increasingly featured in cycling magazines and introduced through word of mouth among cycling enthusiasts.

Phase ③ 2013–2019

Rapid growth phase as the world took notice

From 2013 onward, public bicycle rentals on the Shimanami Kaido entered a clear growth phase. Rentals, which were around 75,000 in 2012, surpassed 110,000 by 2014 and continued to rise, reaching approximately 150,000 by 2019. The trend in the numbers clearly marks this period as a major turning point.

This growth was partly due to the Shimanami Kaido beginning to be widely recognized as “one of Japan’s premier cycling routes.” Not only experienced cyclists, but also general travelers learned about it as a destination where they could enjoy cycling, through travel media, guidebooks, and other publications.

Additionally, efforts by local governments and NPOs to promote cycling-friendly communities helped create an environment that made the route easier to navigate for first-time visitors, including improvements in rental systems and route guidance. During this period, statistics on rental use by international visitors also began to be recorded.

2014: Shimanami Kaido selected by CNN as one of the 7 bike routes in the world

Phase ④ 2020–2024

Impact of COVID-19 and subsequent recovery

In 2020, public bicycle rentals on the Shimanami Kaido dropped sharply. Usage, which was around 150,000 in 2019, fell to approximately 75,000 in 2020—almost halving. The following year, 2021, saw similar numbers, clearly reflecting the strong impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, cycling and camping attracted attention as outdoor activities that allowed people to avoid crowds. However, the decline in international visitors to Japan appears to have had a major effect on rental numbers.

From 2022 onward, rentals began to recover, rising again to around 127,000 in 2023 and 135,000 in 2024, approaching pre-pandemic levels. In 2022, public bicycle rentals transitioned to integrated management under Shimanami Japan, and English-language support was rapidly expanded.

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Rapid increase of international visitors

In recent years, the sharp rise in international visitors to Japan has had a significant impact on the Shimanami Kaido as well.

This graph shows public bicycle rentals on the Shimanami Kaido broken down by foreign and Japanese visitors. I have summarized insights about the increase in international visitors to the Shimanami Kaido on this web page, which I recommend you refer to for more details.

Conclusion

Looking back at public bicycle rentals on the Shimanami Kaido, we can clearly see the flow of each era: the initial boom, a long preparatory period, rapid growth, and significant changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The numbers do not simply rise steadily; they reflect the social context and the evolving nature of tourism at each stage.

In recent years, while rental numbers have approached pre-pandemic levels, the profile of users and the role expected of public bicycles appear to be gradually changing. Beyond serving as a means of transportation, public bicycle rentals continue to offer an accessible gateway for experiencing a deeper side of the Shimanami Kaido.

Carefully observing historical context and actual traveler trends will be increasingly important going forward. I also intend to continue providing clear and reliable information from a calm perspective, especially for first-time visitors or those who may feel uncertain about their trip.

This page introduced the trends in public bicycle rentals on the Shimanami Kaido. On my website, “Shimanami Cycling Touring Tips," I mainly provide information about the Shimanami Kaido, a cycling haven that even beginners can enjoy. Once you have your favorite helmet, I encourage you to come and cycle along the Shimanami Kaido—an outstanding cycling route with breathtaking views of the Seto Inland Sea awaits you!