MOTC studies plan to promote cycling as traffic solution

This article was published by the Macroview Weekly on May 23, 2007. It reports that the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) in Taiwan is currently studying the feasibility of implementing measures to promote cycling as a mode of commuting. This is part of efforts to deal with traffic problems around Taiwan.

The Institute of Transportation, a research agency under the MOTC, has been instructed to study the issue. Experts at the institute are expected to come up with research findings and suggestions in the near future to help the ministry shape its policy on promoting cycling.

MOTC officials will ask city governments to study whether cycling lanes should be established on new roads and whether cyclists should be allowed to use sidewalks to facilitate the promotion of cycling as a transport means. The Taipei City Government has been studying whether to make helmets mandatory for cyclists.

MOTC officials made the remarks in Taitung City in eastern Taiwan during an inspection of construction work on a highway connecting the inland township of Yuli in Hualien County and the coastal township of Changping in Taitung County.

Construction of the 16.26-kilometer highway, dubbed the Yu-chang Highway, is nearing completion. The highway may be opened to public traffic as early as the end of May 2007 if it passes all relevant engineering and safety inspections.