New biking regulation for Taiwan in the making

Some more vague statistics and an old story. Well, there was a step in the right direction to talk to bike maker. But.. you would expect Bike suppliers to support and install bells and light on bikes when sold and the government sponsor it (at least in the first year). But no, they said, pass it on to the consumer! BTW: Would a light be required in the daytime. How would a ugly bell look like an a ten/hundred-thousands of dollar sports road bike? would you install it? BTW It's laughable the government goes into negotiations wihthout any specification of the lights/bells but have a clear amount how much to charge for violation of the - to be defined - rule!!
In other countries there is a grace period where people get a warning (e.g a year) before issuing fines.
Story here

Cycling in Taipei

This video is so cool, because it shows exactly what the "State of the art of bike commuting biking in Taipei" is and it did not change anything at all since when that video was made (2008). Video here

Curitiba Brazil- Great commuting but not for bikes

Another city with great transportation. Problem #1: Too many cars, Problem #2: Listen to the speaker: The city forgot to integrate bikes. Taipei... don't make the same mistake! Video here

The shared (?) bikelane

I am so happy I started this blog long time ago, because the stream of ridiculous news about biking policy and propaganda never seems to reach an end. Here is one more: "while around 120 kilometers of paths have been established in downtown Taipei City, mostly on shared sidewalks." Article here
I beg you pardon? OK then, So who (or what) are we sharing with? Pedestrians, shops showing theirs goods on the street, building construction, parked motorcycles, trucks loading and unloading deliveries, people getting in and out of public transportation (taxi's buses), MRT exit and entries, pillars of buildings. Sharing? I am Sorry. Again, can you tell what the biker(s) get of this 120km IN DOWNTOWN Taipei?

The bike as a symbol for progress ?

Since I love to provide you with links, here is some more. Discovered this news today from this blog (Taiwan In Cycles). The news says that the bike is (ab!)used as a symbol for progress in next 100 years. Why the bike again. Oh, yes, the bike is such an easy no-brainer (reflecting how long the govenrment had to think about this) because it's healthy and good for everyone. But then why Taipei is not doing anything to promote biking. Why is the bike suddenly the symbol of progress? As to be cynical as usual, it's (un)comfortable to assume Taipei citizens may only get good bike commuting in Taipei in a 100 years! This is about in line with the speed of progress made in the past years in Taipei. Sorry, but I won't show up for a pathetical political motivated event. And.. if it's all not enough here President Ma does it one more time. Would it not be time to set the record straight with a protest against the harassment of the bike and bikers by motorized traffic and politics?

Status Quo

It's been a while for posting here and the main reason is the status quo, that is... nothing really significant is happening in Taipei on the bike commuting front. Here is a recent article which shows the Taipei City government is still very busy doing nothing: Empty promises and no structural change.
http://taiwanincycles.blogspot.com/2010/04/taiwan-review-on-taiwans-future-in.html#comment-form
Nuff said... Oh, and here the Dun Hua bike line in daily life - pics . From to Patrick Cowsill's blog.

No Helmet bike fines

Here we go, fines coming for bikers for no helmets... here

In many countries such as the Netherlands, bikers still think that helmets should be optional. But in Taiwan, no one has a say, the government dedides. End of story. Ok, So now bikers will not hurt their head or die, the death rate may go down but we will just shift the number to arm and leg injuries an mor people in the intensve care increasing the need for tax payers money and likely insurance costs. Does that fix the root cause?

But, the motos and cars speeding and cutting bikers on every corners and bus stop still go w/o mentioning. I was cut twice very hard by a bus and a txies in 15 minutes on the road yesterday, not mentioning the very irritating barking taxis behind me. Why not require car/bike speed limiters mandatory? Yes?

USA regulations here
Wikipedia here
Same facts about mandatory legilation here Note, the country with the most bicycle trips (The Netherlands) is stil UNDECIDED on mandatory legislation and most people object.

Taiwan... what are you thinking? Is the government doing their homework? Where is the supporting data bofore making a proposal? That would be helpful than just a one line posting on the news and press the community to buys helmets (a social cost) which likely will not help at all.

Right the statisic above are a bit old, but they could mean the more bikers on the road , the more awareness (critical mass), the less fatalities, but that is just an assumption There could be much more factors, such like the level of bike lane integration, road behavior , laws for mandatory lights on bikes etc.. (Yes, in the Netherlands bike lights are mandatory! The chance to get a fine is not low).