MOTC inaugurates nationwide cycling route and branches

By Shelley Shan / Staff reporter





The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) yesterday inaugurated Cycling Route No. 1 (自行車環島1號線), which gives people simple directions for biking around Taiwan.

Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Jian-yu (陳建宇) said the main bicycle route is about 968km long and cyclists would be guided by signs and road markings along the way, adding that there are 122 designated rest stops where cyclists can acquire things they might need.

Chen said cyclists could complete a round trip in nine days following the set route. The journey can be broken up by using trains, with 11 transit railway stations along the route, such as Songshan Railway Station.

The Taiwan Railways Administration allows bicycles on board commuter trains, which have spaces dedicated for bicycles, as long as cyclists file an application at least 20 minutes prior to the train’s departure.

According to the Institute of Transportation, the main cycling route follows the nation’s highways. It begins at Songshan Railway Station and runs to the highways. To avoid sections of highway that are dangerous or have heavy traffic, cyclists are guided to special cycling lanes.

The institute said the rest stops have been set up every 10km to 20km and include township offices, convenience stores and simple bike stops.

Apart from the main route, the institute said there are 12 branch routes over that span an additional 235km, adding that five new branch routes would be added to the cycling route network.