3 months ago
My bicycle got a flat tire.
It was an electric bike and really heavy, so taking it to a bike shop was a hassle. I ended up having a mobile repair service come out.
The repair cost was 8,000 yen!!
- Mobile repair
- Electric bike
- Tire replacement
I do understand why the repair would cost more, but still…
Even so, 8,000 yen is practically enough to buy a basic bicycle, isn’t it? 😭
Then recently, while I was doing coverage on garbage-related topics, I discovered some top-secret info that “you can repair your bicycle for free.” Okay, top secret is a lie, haha.
Bicycle repairs for zero yen. Free. Seriously?!
Actually, Shachomi has a small folding bicycle. This one had a flat too, so I’d just left it sitting around. 💦
I had to go check this out!!!
Here’s where you can get repairs done↓
The “Seibu Sogo Shori Center”, a waste treatment facility.
Here it is on the map↓
The address is 3-8 Nishinomiyahama, Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture.
Even though it’s a folding bike, it has a flat, so carrying it is tough.
That’s right! Since Nishi2 has a collaboration with the super cheap Karunori Rent-a-Car, I wondered if they had “a vehicle that can carry a bicycle.”
Oh! You can rent a kei box van too. Apparently, some locations also rent kei trucks. Please note that the Nishinomiya location does not offer kei trucks. Official website here
I tried loading folding chairs and things inside, and there was still plenty of room.
With this, a folding bicycle would fit too! Apparently lots of people use them weekly for moving, leisure, and the like.
So, off we go with Karunori Rent-a-Car! Let’s go!
Inside the Seibu Sogo Shori Center in Nishinomiyahama…
This facility, which has parking available(free), is called the Recycle Plaza!
Of course, the folding bicycle fit in with no problem!
Now to carry this flat-tired bike inside.
This is the “Recycle Plaza”, where you can repair your bicycle for free!
At the reception desk in front, say, “I’d like to repair my bicycle,” and they’ll direct you to the right.
This area is called the “Bicycle Repair Workshop.”
Oh! It has that smell of a bike shop!! Probably the smell of tires.
First, you fill out a reception form.
All you write down is your address, name, and phone number. Super simple.
The rear tire was flat. If it had to be replaced, the cost would normally be terrifying, but here it’s free.
Actually, the bicycle repairs at Recycle Plaza
are something you do yourself while receiving advice.
But don’t worry! They tell you what to do next, one step at a time,
show you exactly which tools to use, and help you out,
See! I even managed to remove the wheel with the chain attached!
