京都三条自転車専用レーンAfter turning in forms at the Kyoto Water Bureau's Ukyo Ward Office, which is on Sanjo Dori west of Nishi Oji - an industrial stretch of government offices (tax office, water bureau), a lone love hotel, and factories - we pedaled towards downtown.
Directly in front of the Shimadzu Corporation factory, which is on Sanjo, was an excellent - if short - bike lane.
Pictured at right, the Sanjo Dori lane is separated on the right from cars by a line of trees, the sidewalk on the left. However, it is a true lane, completely separated on both sides from automobile and pedestrian traffic.
Entering the lane from the west, it is noted with the usual "jitensha yo doro" （自転車用道路）(bicycle lane) and a small, old, blue bicycle sign.
The lane continues for several hundred meters, if that, then cyclists are back riding with traffic for a short while until Nishi Oji Dori.
Crossing the street heading east on Sanjo towards the center of Kyoto, however, the lane continues. It is an old, old lane - perhaps the first in the city (pictured below)? - that is not smooth or pretty.
But it works.
It runs until almost Senbon Dori, just south of JR Nijo Station. At that point, the Sanjokai arcade is directly ahead.
Which means: with a bit of creativity, it is possible to ride from the Shimadzu factory, west of Nishioji Dori, all the way to the Kamo River in a car-free zone.
Coming from the Kamo River, head west on Oike Dori (the south side of the street). The wide boulevard does not have a lane, but the sidewalk is never crowded with pedestrians and there is always room to ride safely.
Ride until Horikawa Dori, to the point across the street from Nijo Castle. Turn south onto Horikawa, which has a lane painted onto the pavement.
At Sanjo Dori, the western end of the Sanjokai Arcade, turn west and ride into the arcade. The arcade does allow delivery vehicles, but cars are few; pedestrians and bikes, in contrast, are numerous.
The ten-minute ride to the east end brings you to Senbon Dori. From there the lane below left begins on the north side of Sanjo after about 150 meters.
Click here for a map.
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