The great thing about bikes is that there's just... a shitload out there, especially vintage repairable units. And LOTS of vintage frames and parts that are often tossed to the road as trash, just cleanly available to take. It does of course require one to have the drive to do the repairs yourself, but that is another thing; thank goodness DIY bike repair shops exist.
many people live in the suburbs which are not mixed zone areas; hence most stock up at supermarkets etc since getting there can be a 15-30 minute drive, let alone walking/biking.
it's an excuse for an occasion to get together with friends/family. that's it.
Yes but it varies store to store. you could also submit a corporate complaint and hope they reply with a coupon of some sort...
What purpose does japan have for this ammonia in the end? what do they use it for?
I bought a new cassette, chain and derailleur for my main bike; it's probably 20-30 years old in it's frame and has some signs of wear, but those parts are probably the most I've "invested" in keeping it running well. Compare to a car with new belts, filters, etc. It's crazy our cities are not designed more densely.