Bikes need rules, too
I read with interest the article on postponing penalties for traffic violations by cyclists (“Taipei halts cyclist penalty plan,” March 18, page 2). The only thing I can say is that I hope this is not the end of the story. Rules controlling the growing number of cyclists in Taipei and increased awareness of courteous, responsible and safe riding are needed before it’s too late.
If officials back down from requiring that cyclists act courteously and responsibly on Taipei’s streets and bike paths, it will be another huge mistake for Taipei and society.
We all know that many places in Taiwan are nearly unlivable, almost hellish, because of the crazed motor vehicle culture that has long allowed — perhaps encouraged — motorists to drive in the most breathtakingly hazardous, irresponsible and impolite ways.
For a long time there was little or no enforcement of rules in these areas.
It seems to be improving a bit, but motorists have taken advantage of a largely lawless, take-no-prisoners milieu, and we all know what the results have been: clogged streets, rude behavior, dangerous thrill riding and flagrant defiance of traffic and vehicle laws. All of this has left visitors and citizens in Taipei and Taiwan shaking their heads in despair.
That Taipei is developing into a bicycle haven is something to be proud of. We cyclists hope we can seize the day and maybe drive a few of those nut-case Taipei motorists off the roads permanently.
But on a more positive note, I hope Taipei and its residents can improve the city’s bicycle environment and attitudes, and that past mistakes will not be repeated.
DAVID PENDERY
Taipei
Stop the insulting monikers
Rather than gradually being clarified in the West, Taiwan’s name — in terms of what title it should use overseas — is being muddied by repeated disinformation assaults.
When the Taipei Times reported that the overseas New7Wonders Web site lists Yushan as being in some country called “Chinese Taipei,” the geographical gaffe almost beggared belief (“Yushan park seeks Web ‘ambassadors,’” March 23, page 2).
For some international sporting events and the Olympics, Taiwan must use the unintelligible moniker of “Chinese Taipei,” mandated by certain international rules because of pressure from certain authorities.
But now some people overseas have been led to believe that Taiwan’s actual name is “Chinese Taipei.”
Don’t believe me? I recently received an e-mail from a well-known and well-traveled US public relations consultant in San Francisco, who, after I told her that Taiwan was not part of China but a separate, independent country, told me: “I understand your point that Taiwan is not part of China, but the official name of the country is, in fact, Chinese Taipei.”
She really wrote that.
Based on the example of this well-educated US woman’s misinformed knowledge of Taiwan, it would appear that there is much work to be done in telling the world what this nation is and what it’s name is.
DAN BLOOM
Chiayi City
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