Abstract
This study advocates for increased information infrastructure in the promotion of sustainable cycling in the rural context of Hakodate Hokkaido, Japan as it relates to the challenges of the post-pandemic era. Governmental efforts to promote sustainable cycling for leisure and tourism are ongoing. For example, the Second Hokkaido Bicycle Utilization Promotion Plan of 2023 outlines that “it is important to promote bicycle utilization as an initiative that contributes to achieving the goals of the SDGs while taking into account the objectives of the SDGs and the benefits of bicycles, such as ‘reducing environmental impact’ and ‘improving health’ (Hokkaido Prefectural Government, 2023, author translation from Japanese). In addition, the Hokkaido Cycling Tourism Promotion Policy (2023) declares that it is important to “provide cyclists with information on route attractions, rest facilities, etc., and establish a communication site where cyclists can post their evaluations and opinions of each route” (author translation from Japanese). Drawing from personal experience as a cyclist and scholar in context, the current poster adopts an information infrastructure design perspective to generating greater interest in the Hakodate region of Hokkaido by drawing out the existent possibilities for cycling to function as a leisure and tourism activity through which the aforementioned SDGs can be pursued. As part of regional revitalization in a post-pandemic society, it is suggested that the development of information infrastructure, including data collection, analysis, and dissemination can play an important role in promoting sustainable cycling related to tourism, leisure, and the aforementioned SDGs within the local environment.
Presenters
Damian RiversProfessor, School of Systems Information Science, Future University Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
2024 Special Focus—Tourism, Leisure and Change: Transforming People and Places
KEYWORDS
Cycling, Hokkaido, Information, Leisure, Tourism, Sustainability
