Gov't plans to amend traffic law for bicyclists

Cycling has become a trend in Taiwan. The number of injured people from bike riding has risen substantially, according to the Road Traffic Safety Committee under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC).

“Even though the number of cycling deaths has declined from 183 people in 2006 to 141 people last year, the numbers of injured riders are still increasing,” the Executive Secretary from the committee, Xie Chao-yi, told The China Post.

“Last year, over nine thousand people were injured in biking accidents. In 2006, the number was about seven thousand,” said Xie.

The reason for the accidents include riders not following traffic rules, vague traffic concept among teenagers and the lack of bikeways, forcing cyclists to compete for space in motor traffic. The MOTC has called on the public to wear helmets while riding bikes, but has not set regulations for people who disobey this rule.

Xie said that the government will discuss the issue about the punishment for people who don't wear helmets and whether teenagers should need a license for bicycling.

The government, which hopes to complete the amendment in three months, will draw inspiration from regulations in other countries, such as requiring cyclists to have lights while riding at night, prohibiting carrying passengers who are over four years old or 18 kilograms in weight, and banning youngsters under the age of 12 from riding on their own, according to the Apple Daily News.

The MOTC also appeals to elementary and junior high schools to further promote traffic safety to the students.

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