Cycle in Taiwan

Cycling has never been a traditional mode of transport in Taiwan, but the number of people opting to explore Taiwan’s streets by bicycle has increased dramatically in the last ten years.  Locals and tourists from all over have lapped up this cycling culture, with serious riders on high-end professional road bikes pedalling alongside backpackers and students who are getting themselves from A to B on second-hand mountain bikes.

A by-product of this change of bike culture has been the construction of thousands of kilometres of bike paths throughout Taipei and the rest of the island, meaning cycling has become even more accessible and the road traffic situation markedly improved for cyclists. Taipei now has riverside paths running across the city in all directions from Xindian to Danshui and from the edge of Keelung to Yingge and beyond Daxi in Taoyuan County.

Riding a bike is a great way to experience a city, but why not indulge your adventurous side and take the bike a bit further? A popular cycling route among tourists is a ‘round-island’ tour of Taiwan, which can be done by taking a circular tour around the island’s coast or by doing the inland San-heng route.  The latter is ideal for adventurous travellers or experienced cyclists, climbing higher than 3,000 metres and offering spectacular scenery on Taiwan’s highest roads.

The ‘round-island’ trip is about 1,000km in total and can take around ten days to complete or longer for beginners or those among us with more time up our sleeves and who are after a more relaxed tour.

In reality, a bit of extra time is a good thing if you want to really explore the sites, culture and history that make up Taiwan. A lot of sites can be seen by bicycle, such as visiting temples and pagodas around the island, or a detour to the stunning beaches at the southernmost tip of Taiwan.

A great aspect of cycling is the freedom you have to stop at any place that takes your fancy and move as fast as you want.  By stopping where and when you choose a cycling tour in Taiwan can easily become a culinary tour, as you taste your way through the local delicacies on the streets of Taiwan.

If you do plan on cycling around Taiwan, remember that the island is still getting used to the cycling ways. This means that traffic rules may not always be crystal clear and big vehicles won’t always give you right of way. Just keep a look out and be sensible when you ride and you’ll get a feel for the way things work.

Always remember to put safety first. While wearing protective gear like helmets isn’t strictly enforced, it pays to be safe when you are cycling on roads, especially in a foreign country. If you’re new to cycling or it’s your first time in Taiwan, you might want to consider joining a tour or even hiring a private guide. Know the route you are going to take before you head out, and do a bit of planning to work out where you are going to stay each night.

Luckily, the increase in cyclist numbers and in cycling tourism in Taiwan has contributed to the number of cycling resources available, including those in English. Travellers to the island will easily find English language blogs and guides about cycling in Taiwan that provide information on rentals, equipment, accommodation and cycling routes. These are also a great place to meet other cyclists who share the same passion for cycling travel as you.

Accommodation for cyclists is not hard to come by and you will find that there is something out there for every type of traveller. If you’re an outdoors kind of person then why not take a tent and talk to locals about the best place to pitch it for a night? Budget hotels are also a good option for cyclists, and are plentiful. A range of low- to high-end accommodation options are available that cater specifically to cyclists’ needs. Consider the Joser Bike Hostel in Yilan County or the New Life Hot Spring Resort in Hualien County as a few.