[sustran] Taiwan - Bicycle Kingdom or Bicycle Hell?

[SUSTRAN Resource Centre]

This was sent in by Austral Bike Book, an online bicycle industry news
service (http://austral.bikebook.com.tw), in response to our request for
stories of positive change. 

>
>Taiwan - Bicycle Kingdom or Bicycle Hell?
>New Industry Advocacy Initiative - 1,000 Bikes Donated for Free Public Use
in Taipei
>
>By Stephen Jack
>
>Bicycle industry insiders in Taiwan proudly refer to the island as the
Bicycle Kingdom. Even with world market demand in the doldrums this is no
idle claim. With export sales of 8.8 million units in 1997 Taiwan's
international importance as a supplier in the last decade is without
question. But expect blank stares from ordinary people if you describe
Taiwan as a Bicycle Kingdom. The so called Bicycle Kingdom exists only in
trade figures, at trade shows or inside local bicycle factories. Because
when it comes to bicycle use and the state of riding conditions at home,
Taiwan is definitely no Bicycle Kingdom. Bicycle Hell, would be a better
description. During the last 30 years of Taiwan's industrial transformation
and economic growth, the bicycle has been almost totally shunted aside and
forgotten as a form of adult transportation. The small numbers who do cycle
now are forced to do so in appallingly unsafe and polluted traffic
conditions. 
>
>If you expected this incongruity to cause embarrassment to the industry
responsible for many of the best bicycles rolling around the streets of
cities like Amsterdam or San Francisco you might be mistaken. The mentality
in the Taiwan bicycle industry is firmly hitched to the large volume export
wagon. Few Taiwan companies take seriously what is
>usually perceived as a comparatively small local market (607,000 units in
1995 or just under 7 percent of total Taiwan production). With industry
executives typically only viewing the traffic scene from a Mercedes Benz or
BMW and precious few people who cycle employed throughout the industry,
there is little genuine home-grown empathy for Taiwan cyclists from within
the industry. 
>
>With advocacy groups a rare species and governments that are uninterested,
it seems like no one is sticking up for the bicycle in Taiwan. Until now. 
>
>Enter the scene, Giant Manufacturing, the local bicycle company that
stands head and shoulders above all others, some very large bicycle parts
makers and the Taipei City Government, led by a publicity-loving but
effective mayor. What has emerged is a bold new initiative that just could
be the start of a significant change in attitude towards urban
transportation. Well, maybe. 
>
>The city's Bureau of Transportation has long term plans to improve both
traffic and environmental conditions, including getting commuters to cycle
from home to metro-rail system stations. Recently, in response to this
plan, Giant donated 1,000 city bicycles to the Taipei City Government. A
Giant spokesperson said that current conditions for riding bicycles on
Taipei roads are very poor and that apart from public parks there are few
places where it is possible for people to enjoy cycling safely. The new
bicycles are now free for public use in five of the city's parks. 
>
>Giant was unwilling to reveal the cost of the bicycles or the program but
said the bicycles were specifically designed and built for the Taipei City
bike-in-a-park program. The bicycles can be ridden by adults or children
and require a minimum of maintenance. Component parts for the bicycles were
donated by Kenda Rubber, Sram, KMC, Lee Chi and Cheng Shin Rubber. 
>
>Giant is also responsible for the cost of the maintenance and repairs
which will be performed by Giant mechanics. Giant and the parts makers also
provided 1,032 bike racks while an insurance company donated
coin-in-the-slot locks. Users pay a deposit of NT$50 (US$1.50) to release a
bicycle from a lock, similar to the system used by supermarkets to try to
ensure shopping trolleys are returned.
>
>While the bike-in-a-park plan won't help traffic conditions or make
on-road cyclists feel safer, it will help get non-cycling Taipei people on
bikes and hopefully, enthusiastic about them. Given the current bleak
circumstances for cyclists this is potentially a great step forward. But
whether it leads to other initiatives in the future depends as much on
>further action by cyclists and environmentalists as it does on companies
like Giant. But who knows, if things do progress, one day park-riding
cyclists may even feel safe enough to venture onto the roads?
>
>When asked about the possibility of similar operations starting up in
other Taiwan cities, the Giant spokesperson replied without hesitation, "If
other cities have a plan we would be pleased to co-operate with them." Yes,
that is correct; Giant is actually generously prepared to offer free
bicycles to other interested city governments. I would like to imagine
cyclists and others inundating city government offices and bicycle
companies around Taiwan with calls and letters demanding programs like
Taipei's but unfortunately I can't. I guess we have a way to go before
Taiwan is really a Bicycle Kingdom. 
>
>Oct. 22 1998
>
>(from Austral Bike Book - http://austral.bikebook.com.tw)
>
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