Government proposes safety regulations for bicycle riders

The NTC government filed the proposal based on findings that the failure to install warning bells and lights on bikes had led to serious traffic accidents in the city.

Statistics compiled by the NTC department of transportation showed that of the 9 serious traffic accidents involving bicycles, eight riders died, and another 1,226 bike-related traffic accidents left as many as 1,815 people injured in 2010.

NTC transportation officials said that according to traffic safety rules, bicycles should be fitted with a brake system, a ringing bell, lights, and a light-reflecting device, and riders of bikes without those accessories would be subject to a fine of NT$180 if found.

Accordingly, the officials last week held a meeting with representatives of four leading local bike suppliers, namely Giant, Merida, Pacific Cycles, KHS Bikes to discuss how to reinforce safety instruction on riding bicycles. At the meeting, the bike suppliers stressed that it should be up to the central government to work out a set of uniform specifications concerning the lights, bells and other necessary devices, and that the resultant additional costs may be passed onto to consumers.

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