Sapporo Share Cycle 'Porocle' to Begin Operations on Sunday, April 5th at 10:00 AM. Two New Ports to Open Near Nijuyonken Station on the Subway Tozai Line!

The share cycle service 'Porocle,' which operates in central Sapporo, will begin operations on Sunday, April 5th, at 10:00 AM, with approximately 620 bicycles and over 60 ports, the same scale as last season. While maintaining last year's capacity, we will be updating some of our vehicles this season to ensure a comfortable user experience. This year, we are opening new ports near 'Nijuyonken Station' on the Subway Tozai Line, an area from which we have received many requests. We will continue to provide a safe service to expand mobility options for citizens and tourists alike, making it easier to travel around the city of Sapporo. On the day operations begin, Board Chairman Mikiharu Arimura will be available for interviews starting at 10:00 AM at the '59_Ekimae-dori Miredo-mae Port' (Kita 3 Nishi 3, Chuo-ku). [Cumulative Member Registrations and Annual Usage Counts] In fiscal year 2025, the cumulative number of registered members exceeded 110,000, and the number of uses reached 562,947, a 10% increase from the previous fiscal year. The service was used not only for daily commutes and shopping but also for strolling and sightseeing. Furthermore, in response to the year-over-year increase in usage by international visitors for our tourism-oriented plans (1-day pass), we are providing multilingual usage guides and raising awareness about safe usage. Additionally, we are advancing initiatives to promote traffic safety and the utilization of bicycles in collaboration with professional sports teams in Hokkaido. ■ To Use Bicycles Safely Starting April 1, 2026, the 'Traffic Infraction Notification System (Blue Ticket)' will be applied to bicycles. 'Knowing' and 'following' bicycle rules are 'essential actions to protect your own safety.' Porocle will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure Sapporo remains a city where everyone can travel with peace of mind. We are also conducting the 'Safety Support Discount' campaign, which allows Porocle members to purchase bicycle helmets at a special discounted price. This is the third year of this initiative for the 2026 season, conducted in partnership with AEON Hokkaido Corporation, which is committed to promoting the safe use of bicycles. The campaign aims to make helmets feel more accessible and serve as a catalyst for safe bicycle usage. [Porocle's Approach to Safety] ■ About NPO Porocle (Certified NPO Porocle) In September 2016, we were certified as a 'Certified NPO' by Sapporo City, recognizing our high public interest and the appropriateness of our management organization and business activities. Through our bicycle sharing service (nickname: Porocle), we engage in various projects and activities alongside the young people who will lead the future, aiming to contribute to urban development, human resource development, and the enhancement of Sapporo's appeal.