Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Taipei mayoral candidate Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) on Saturday proposed offering free bus rides to residents who perform 20 squats, but his idea was criticized as impractical.
Chiang made the proposal at a climate policy forum at the International Climate Development Institute Exposition (TWCAE), which was also attended by the two other mayoral candidates, the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) and independent Vivian Huang (黃珊珊).
They said that a larger percentage of residents in major cities such as Tokyo and Seoul use public transportation compared with Taipei residents.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
Chiang said a “smart net-zero lifestyle” could be achieved through design, technology and innovation.
He said the city could design a mechanism for people to perform 20 squats to earn a free bus ride, which could encourage more people to take public transportation and reduce carbon emissions.
The idea was inspired by a 2020 promotion in Romania to raise public health awareness. A special bus station with a camera was installed in the city of Cluj-Napoca, and for two weeks people who performed 20 squats within two minutes at the booth were given a free bus ticket.
DPP Legislator Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲), Chen’s election campaign policy research task force convener, yesterday said Chiang’s proposal is unattractive and impractical, because Taipei and New Taipei City already offer a monthly public transportation pass for NT$1,280, which is a greater incentive for people, including those who cannot perform squats.
Exercising at a bus stop would also expose people to air pollutants, she said, adding that Chiang should not copy health campaigns from other cities and transplant them to Taipei without any critical review.
Huang said encouraging city residents to exercise would be beneficial, but some people, such as those with mental or physical disabilities, might be unable to perform a squat.
A practical policy should be fair and feasible, she said.
Chiang said he meant to say that climate change governance should not only rely on government policies and that residents’ participation is also important in reducing carbon emissions.
Huang at the forum on Saturday said there should be legal and grassroots-level initiatives to help residents contribute to reducing carbon emissions in their daily lives.
She also highlighted some of the city’s environmental protection measures implemented during her term as deputy mayor, saying that a per-bag trash fee calculated based on the volume of waste collected has enabled Taipei to surpass all of the cities around the world in terms of trash reduction.
Additional reporting by CNA
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