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Government to push bike tours

The Tourism Bureau said on Thursday that it is planning to promote bike tours to destinations in Hualien and Taitung counties.

In a briefing to Minister of Transportation and Communications Mao Chi-kuo (毛治國), the bureau recommended six routes for tourists who wish to travel by bike. The routes are all on provincial highways, including No. 2, No. 9, No. 11 and No. 30. They will take cyclists to tourist attractions along the east coast and the rift valley, such as Taroko Gorge (太魯閣), Liyutan (鯉魚潭), Guanshan (關山) and Luye (鹿野).

The bureau told the minster that the total number of tourists heading to Hualien and Taitung counties topped 14.5 million in 2006 and 12.4 million last year and that more than 70 percent of them went on self-arranged tours.

In terms of transportation, a majority of them traveled by car and the rest either traveled by train or tour bus. The region also saw a significant increase in tourists from overseas. In 2006, approximately 320,000 overseas tourists visited the area. That number jumped to 533,000 last year.

The area was selected for the cycle tours because it already has 12 bike ways constructed in the region’s scenic spots and the bureau has also established 13 information centers in the two counties. As well as getting advice on the different tours, travelers would also be able to rent bikes from the information centers in the future, the bureau said.

Aside from marking out the scenic bike routes, the bureau also plans to work with the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) and Directorate General of Highways (DGH) to help facilitate transportation from one scenic spot to another.

Mao said that in the future any designs for new highways would include room for bike lanes. While Mao was positive about promoting the bike tours, he was more reserved on efforts to improve conditions for the nation’s cycling commuters.

“The task would be challenging, particularly as it involves amendments to traffic regulations,” he said, adding that modifications would be needed on city roads and these changes would need to satisfy the needs of motorists, cyclists, scooter riders and pedestrians.

The Department of Health has previously advised the public to refrain from commuting by bicycle unless traffic flows on the route have been separated for bicycles and motor vehicles. The department said research showed that cyclists were involved in 40 percent of all traffic accidents that occur at intersections.

In response, Mao said that marking out an ideal route for bike commuters would be critical.
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