Taiwan’s first cycling route to circumnavigate the nation is scheduled for completion in November, according to the Institute of Transportation.
The think tank at the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said that the bike route is 939.5km in total.
It begins from Songshan Railway Station in Taipei and continues along Civic Boulevard and Nanjing E Road before turning to the bike lane on at Dajia Riverside Park, from which cyclists can continue riding south to Fangliao (枋寮) in Pintung County on highways.
After following the route along the west coast, cyclists can head east to Taitung and Hualien by taking Highway No. 9 and continue north to Yilan, Fulong and Keelung on Highway No. 2.
According to the institute’s plan, it would take about nine days ride the circuit. To facilitate the bike tour experience, a supply stop will be available every 20km on the route.
Apart from the main route, the institute has also arranged 13 branch routes around the nation leading to various attractions, from Sun Moon Lake in Nantou County, Chimei Museum in Tainan and the southern branch of the National Palace Museum in Chiayi County.
The institute’s planning division director Jason Su (蘇振維) said that the institute integrates different bicycle lanes built by local governments.
Su added that the main route was designed by first considering the highways, as well as accommodation and supply stops nearby.
He said that cyclists can choose to ride the entire route or take trains in certain sections.
Su said that cyclists will see clear directions to the convenience stores, railway stations, supply stops, scenic areas, visitor centers and public toilets on the route.
Drinking water, first-aid kits and tire pumps are to be made available in the supply stops along the route, he added.
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