Taiwan amends traffic laws to give more freedom to heavy duty motorcycles

This article was published by the 2nd Taiwan International Motorcycle Industry Show on January 15, 2007.

The Road Traffic Management and Punishment Law was recently revised and passed at the Legislative Yuan in Taiwan, allowing riders of motorcycles with an engine size of 550cc or above to ride their machines on the nation's expressways, provincial highways and regular roads.

However, such bikes will remain prohibited from traveling on national freeways.

The revision requires the government to finish amending all the relevant regulations and promulgate the new policy within six months. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications must also complete an assessment on the possibility of allowing such motorcycles onto the freeways within two years.

Current traffic regulations require those applying for a 250cc license and above to have owned a 150cc motorcycle license for more than a year and attended 20 hours of lessons.

According to those legislators who proposed the amendment, countries such as Belgium, France and Germany already permit motorcycles to operate on freeways. "Taiwan's regulations will be in sync with global trends following the amendment," they said.