Featured: "Bicycle" Drawing Attention with Introduction of "Blue Ticket" System. "Transportation and Economy," a Specialized Journal on Transportation, April Issue to be Released on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

What is "Transportation and Economy" https://www.itej.or.jp/unkei

The Institute for Transport Policy Studies (Tokyo, Shinjuku Ward, Chairman: Masaru Takahashi) will release the April issue of its specialized research journal "Transportation and Economy" on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

This issue includes a special feature on "Bicycles," along with serial articles by seven diverse contributors.

Featured Theme: "Bicycles" The featured theme for the April issue is "Bicycles." Starting April 1, 2026, the Traffic Violation Notification System, commonly known as the "Blue Ticket" system, which was applied to automobiles and other vehicles, has also been extended to bicycles.

Amidst changes in the bicycle usage environment, how can we promote bicycle utilization and position it within the comprehensive transportation system moving forward?

This issue looks back at past bicycle policies and explores the possibilities of bicycles from a wide range of perspectives, including local and corporate case studies, analysis of bicycle accidents, policies in France, and shared cycling and cycle tourism.

This is a must-read that encourages a fresh consideration of bicycles, a familiar mode of transport, at the time of this legislative reform. [Buy Here](https://trec.itej.or.jp/unkei/202604)

### Table of Contents (Feature: "Bicycles") ● Foreword: "Can Bicycles Pave the Way for a New Mobility Society?" YOSHIDA Changyu (Graduate School, Osaka Metropolitan University) / KATO Issei (Keio University)

● Roundtable: "Challenges and Possibilities in Promoting Bicycles" YAMANAKA Hideo (Graduate School, Tokushima University) KANAGO Fumihiko (Former Director, Bicycle Utilization Promotion Office, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) YOSHIDA Changyu (Graduate School, Osaka Metropolitan University) KATO Issei (Keio University)

● Articles "Regarding the Third Bicycle Utilization Promotion Plan (Draft)" - UCHIDA Shuhei (Road Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) "Considering Local Mobility Holistically - Formulation of the Yuzawa Town Regional Mobility Environment Plan" - Yuzawa Town, Planning and Tourism Department, Planning and Tourism Division "Promoting Cycling on the Shimanami Kaido - DX Implementation Initiatives" - SAKAMOTO Daizo (Shimanami Japan)

● Interview: "Bicycles as Secondary Transportation" - SHIMIZU Takashi (Docomo Bike Share)

● Articles "Trends and Future of the Bicycle Market" - NAGASE Yuichi (Institute for Transport Policy Studies) "Bicycle Use and Bicycle Accidents - Actual Conditions and Trends" - TAKUBO Nobuaki (Japan Automobile Research Institute) "French Bicycle Policy - How it Transformed into a Bicycle Powerhouse in Just 10 Years" - VANSON FUJII Yumi (French Urban Policy Researcher)

"Serializations" Renewed from the April Issue In addition to the feature articles, this journal includes serials by a diverse group of contributors every month.

Starting with the April issue, some serials have been renewed. These include "The Full Picture of Tourist Train Business," delving into the tourist train business; "Financial Strategies of Transportation Operators Unraveled by Keywords," examining the transportation industry from a corporate value perspective; and the essay "Hachiya's Bookshelf," introducing literary works related to travel and railways. This diverse lineup offers engaging content not only for professionals and academics but also for those interested in economics, books, and travel.

Additionally, "From the Archives" introduces books from our institute's library. We feature newly acquired books and valuable past collections from our library, which houses transportation-related books and magazines. [Buy Here](https://trec.itej.or.jp/unkei/202604)

### Table of Contents (Serials) ● The Full Picture of Tourist Train Business "What is Kintetsu's Aim in Launching a Restaurant Train in Ise-Shima?" - OSAKA Naoki (Economic Journalist)

● Anecdotes on European Railways "Public Transportation and Bicycles" - HASHIZUME Tomoyuki (European Railway Photo Writer)

● Cities, People, and Culture Shaped by Railways "The New Fiscal and School Year for Railways and Railway Workers" - IWANARI Masakazu (Railway Researcher)

● Financial Strategies of Transportation Operators Unraveled by Keywords "What is 'Corporate Value'?" - HIMENO Ryota (J.P. Morgan Securities)

● Introduction to Transportation Economics "How Real Fares Are Determined" - TAKEUCHI Kenzo (Tokyo Woman's Christian University)

● Research Lab Introduction "How to Promote Bicycle Use - Ensuring Bicycle Safety" - SUZUKI Yusuke (Fukuoka University)

● Hachiya's Bookshelf - Travel by Reading "The Man Who Traveled with an Oshie (Embroidered Picture)" - HACHIYA Asumi (Travel Writer)

What is "Transportation and Economy"? This is a monthly specialized journal on transportation economics and management. Since its founding in 1947, it has served as a platform for presenting research and studies across the entire spectrum of transportation, contributing to the advancement of transportation research. It aims to foster mutual understanding and stimulation between academia and practical professionals, inviting contributions not only from researchers but also from business operators and government officials from a wide range of fields.

Title: "Transportation and Economy" Publisher: The Institute for Transport Policy Studies Publication Date: First day of each month Specifications: B5 size / approx. 110 pages Price: ¥1,100 (¥1,000 excluding tax) *You can also purchase it on the institute's HP (https://trec.itej.or.jp/kounyu) or Amazon (Amazon purchase pages will be available after the release date for each issue).