The opening of the newly constructed Bali-Sindian Expressway in Taipei County yesterday coincided with Taipei City's celebration of Carfree Day.
More than 10,000 cyclists flooded the 29.4km expressway for an unhindered ride that normally would have been impossible. The new expressway cuts the travel time between Bali and Sindian from one hour to about 25 minutes.
The cyclists also enjoyed rare unobstructed rides on the streets of Taipei yesterday.
PHOTO: LO PEI-DER, TAIPEI TIMES
Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) joined approximately 3,000 cyclists for a 12km ride from the Meiti Riverside Park in Neihu District (內湖) to the shopping precinct in Zhongxiao E Road.
Part of the area was closed to motor vehicles for a “green transportation exposition.”
Hau said by closing an area that is usually the busiest on weekends, the city government was trying to draw the attention of more people to the annual event.
Carfree Day, in its eighth year in Taipei, has helped promote environmental protection and won the support of many residents, he said.
“We hope every day will be car free day in Taipei City, moving it toward becoming a ‘green city,’” he said.
Also participating in yesterday's activity was Eric Knight Britton, a sustainability activist who introduced the concept of Carfree Day in 1994 in Spain.
Britton said that since then, more than 2,000 cities worldwide have held Carfree Days.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday expressed “shock and regret” over a statement issued by his wife without his consent, and rejected her assertion that his eldest sister, Ma Yi-nan (馬以南), would manage his medical care or act as his spokesperson amid an ongoing embezzlement probe into his foundation. Ma Ying-jeou in a statement said he was shocked by a statement by his wife, Chou Mei-ching (周美青), regarding his affairs. Ma Yi-nan “must not” be in charge of his healthcare and other personal affairs, nor can she be allowed to represent the Ma family, the former president said. He said he was also
RSS