Cycling life Taiwan

Here in Taiwan cycling has gone through tremendous changes over the past 50 years.  Decades ago cycling was major mode of transportation in Taiwan, but with economic growth and urbanization mopeds replaced the bicycle as the primary mode of transportation. 

Video and picture of two older Taiwanese holding on to the cycling culture of their youth.

Taiwan is home to the world’s largest manufacturer of bikes, Giant and a thriving bike industry. In fact I missed being in Taiwan for Taichung Bike Week, the major international bike industry conference that occurs each year. I did have the chance to meet with Giant’s foundation, the Cycling Lifestyle Foundation. The foundation is transforming cycling in Taiwan making it not only a means for transportation, but a leading recreational activity. 

Vicky Yang, the foundation’s president, told me about her efforts over the last few years. The foundation has worked hard to change the way citizens think about cycling. Beginning in 1998 the foundation donated 1,000 bikes to Taipei for a community rental program at newly constructed bike trails. In 2000 Taipei kicked off its first car-free days with the support of the foundation. Perhaps the biggest transformation is occurring with Taiwan youth with the foundation sponsoring rides for 16 (50K), 18 (100K) and 20 (circle island ride) year-olds that are becoming a rite of passage. The foundation attracted international attention when to celebrate the Republic of China’s 100^th anniversary they organized the One Bike One event when 72,919 were confirmed o be riding at one time around the island, though unofficial estimates place the ride at more than 100,000. The government is supporting these efforts with a massive bike trail building program occurring across the nation.

Use the minus (-) sign to see more trails or View Popular routes in the Northern Taiwan in a larger map

Among the leaders in this effort is Professor Hsin-Wen Chang of Chung-Hua University. She has been a key player in planning routes around the island and making cycling an important part of Taiwan’s tourist economy. Her work is paying off. Earlier this year, Lonely Planet declared Taiwan one of its Top 10 destinations saying, “So why is 2012 the time to visit? Because Taiwan is best seen on two wheels and in recent years the authorities have embraced the biking market with surprising enthusiasm, vision and (most importantly) funding. This year sees the linking of thousands of kilometers of paths, including two round-the-island routes, and a host of other cycling friendly infrastructure projects.” Taipei and Kaohsiung have extensive and easily accessible trail networks and a national network is in the works. 

Both Taipei and Koahsiung also have public bike share systems. I used Kaohsiung's C-bike system extensively while I was there.  The system of 50 stations and more than 4,000 bikes was built in a build-operate-transfer (BOT) agreement for about $2.5 million, with contributions from a government air pollution control fund, the city government, and the central government's economic stimulus package. 

Kaohsiung well used bike trail along its Love River

C-Bike Station

This trail along an abandoned rail line will be reconstructed when a light rail line is built in the next few years.

The bikes are not as sturdy as those in the North American Bixi and B-Cycle systems and after a little more than a year of service are showing wear.  Though that means they are well used and that is definitely what I saw riding around much the weekend.   

The Youbike system in Taipei was initially launched as partnership between Giant Bicycle and the City of Taipei with Giant picking up the costs.  Now with government support the system is rapidly expanding across Taipei. With expansion still ongoing the system is averaging 10,000 rides a day. The first hour is free and there is no membership fee. Vicky told me, “Taiwanese won’t pay for a membership, so we are going to have to keep working with the government on the business model.”

Sadly, it has rained pretty much every moment that I haven’t been in a meeting in Taipei, so I haven’t had a chance to try the system.