City councilors take aim at skate scooters

In bustling Taipei where parking spaces are scarce and traffic is perpetually congested, skate scooters have recently emerged as one of commuters' and youngsters' favored ways to get around town and exercise at the same time.

It is not unusual to see riders maneuvering their skate scooters among motor scooters, cars, and buses. The free-wheeling fun and games may come to an end though as the swelling army of scooter riders kicking their way around parks, sidewalks and major boulevards has prompted debate among Taipei City councilors over whether to create regulations for the new transportation device.

"We would like to see the city government take protective measures in advance so there will be rules for the public to follow should any mishaps occur," said KMT city councilor Chen Yu-mei (陳玉梅).

KMT councilor Wang Cheng-te (王正德) agreed. "The government should pay attention to this new kind of transportation vehicle, because it's obvious that it has become a trendy combination of sports equipment and transportation vehicle, and are almost as popular as roller blades," he said.

"Because the city encourages the public to take advantage of the MRT, it has gained tremendous popularity because it's easy to carry and its size is compact."

New Party councilor Chin Li-fang (秦儷舫), however, took another view. "I see it as an exercise instrument, which should be used at specified areas just like bicycles," she said. "It's rather hard to set certain rules to regulate it. I don't advocate the idea nor do I think the government should allow it to happen."

Tsao Shou-min (曹壽民), director of city's transportation bureau, said skate scooters are currently considered a "sports accessory" rather than as a "vehicle."

Therefore, they are regulated under pedestrians laws.

Current traffic regulations stipulate that pedestrians causing traffic inconvenience are subject to NT$360 fine and users obstructing lanes with vehicles face a NT$120 fine.

Tsao said as long as owners try to restrict their usage of skate scooters to sidewalks and do not cause any traffic problems, he doesn't have any problem with seeing it on the streets of Taipei.

Chen Chun-liang (陳椿亮), general manager of the city's Taipei Rapid Transit Company, said announcements will be made or posted at subway stations informing people of the company's stance.

"Owners have to fold [the scooter] before they enter the station. They will receive warnings if they do not, and the equipment may be confiscated and the owner told to leave the station if the person refuses to cooperate," he said.