Oita residents want bicycle parking, not bicycle lanes.

Today I discovered a wonderful story of residents in Oita using a newly developed bicycle lane as bicycle parking.

Bicycles parked in a bicycle lane, Oita, Japan.

Initially I was amused, "Look at those wacky Japanese mistaking a bicycle lane for bicycle parking." and had a chuckle to myself, but upon reflection I realized that by parking in the bicycle lane these residents are sending a strong message to their city, and that message is "We don't need bicycle lanes, we need bicycle parking."

Urban planners obviously did not consult residents before foisting this unneeded infrastructure upon them.  Fortunately residents have taken it upon themselves to use the new infrastructure in a way that brings the most benefit to them. Power to the people!