Bikes In The News

In a March 5 editorial, titled Coaxing Cyclists Out Of The Parks, the Taipei Times says:

"For cyclists in Taipei, two things changed this weekend. On Saturday, the Taipei MRT system opened 12 more stations to cyclists and their bikes, bringing the number of stations with bicycle access up to 27 of the 69 stops. Then, on Sunday, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) announced new traffic rules for cyclists on city streets that will take effect at the end of this month. The city's growing population of cyclists will no doubt welcome the chance to board the MRT with their bikes at more stations."

This is the critical (in every sense of the word) sentence:

"Unfortunately, Taipei's bicycle infrastructure seems to revolve around one word: recreation."

The editorial argues that government officials should be looking at cycling as a way of getting to work, not just exercising. I doubt that many young Taiwanese office workers could be persuaded to cycle to work. The hot, wet climate isn't conducive to cycling and then turning up at the office in the pristine condition expected. As far as I know, few companies have facilities where workers can shower and change on arrival...

Meanwhile, the Taiwan News reports that Tainan City is planning a bike rental system for residents and visitors. According to the report, the city government said the service could "reduce vehicle use by about 5 to 10 percent."

Anyone wanting to rent a bike would have to get a special IC card that would enable him or her to remove a bike from one of the 90-odd unmanned rental stations the city is planning.

I have one concern: Will the IC cards be retrieved and recharged for reuse? Or, once exhausted, will they simply become landfill, like IC cards for public telephones?

Guanshan in Taidong County has perhaps the most successful tourist-oriented cycling scheme in Taiwan. Several other townships have tried to emulate it; Meinong in Kaohsiung County seems to have done a decent job.

For other news of bike-related events this month, see this post on the David On Formosa blog.