New rules for electric bicycles to take effect Nov. 30

New rules for electric bicycles to take effect Nov. 30

2022-11-18

If you own or ride electric bicycles, take note, as new rules will take effect Nov. 30. Currently, electric bicycles are treated like regular bicycles, meaning people of any age can ride them. Riders are not required to wear helmets or get insurance for their vehicles. That is all about to change. Let’s hear from the Directorate General of Highways.

Chang Shun-ching
Directorate General of Highways
In the deliberation process at the Legislative Yuan, some scholars and experts had called for these rules. In the end, the bill that was passed does not require a driving license. But there are some conditions, like being of a certain age.

From Nov. 30, riders of electric bicycles will have to be at least 14 years old. The bikes must have license plates, and owners must purchase insurance for them. Riders who fail to comply by these rules could face fines of up to NT$3,600 and NT$1,500 respectively. Helmets must be worn while on the bikes, which will not be allowed to travel at speeds above 25 kilometers per hour. In addition, migrant workers will have to ask for permission from their employers to be allowed to purchase a vehicle, as is the case for scooters. Owners who already have an electric bike will be given a two year buffer period to ensure their vehicles and get them licensed at the relevant agencies.

電動自行車11/30起須掛牌、保強制險 45萬輛舊車給兩年緩衝期

2022-11-18

電動自行車不用駕照，亂象、意外頻傳，11月30日起將被納管，除了滿14歲才能騎乘，新車也得和機車一樣到監理機關掛牌，還要加保強制險，未掛牌最重罰款3600元，未投保最重罰款1500元。

[[公路總局副局長張舜清]]
“在立法院研議階段，有一派的學者、專家有這樣的主張，最後通過的版本不用考照，配套就是我剛才補充的，必須有適當的年齡限制”

電動自行車，正名為"微型電動二輪車"，雖然免駕照，但要滿14歲才能騎，移工買車還得有雇主同意書，也得乖乖戴安全帽，行駛速率必須在25公里以下、嚴禁改裝超速，到監理站領照前還必須加保"強制險"，現有車輛則享有緩衝期，要再兩年內完成領牌照的動作。

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The three main candidates in the Taipei mayoral race decide on election-eve rally venues

The Taipei mayoral race is turning out to be one of the closest contests ahead of municipal elections on Nov. 26. In the latest, the three main candidates have decided on their election-eve rally venues. The DPP’s candidate, former health minister Chen Shih-chung, has bagged Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the presidential office building. Independent Huang Shan-shan has booked the area around Taipei city hall. And the KMT’s Chiang Wan-an has picked a large parking lot near the intersection of Keelung Road and Civic Boulevard.

The KMT’s Taipei mayoral candidate Chiang Wan-an went to an intersection with heavy traffic early in the morning. Some of his supporters who were passing by gave him encouraging cheers.

In the final stages of election campaigning, the three main candidates in the Taipei mayoral race have settled on venues for their election eve rallies. The team working for DPP candidate Chen Shih-chung picked Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office early on, while the team for KMT’s candidate Chiang Wan-an has picked a large car park next to the intersections of Keelung Road and Civic Boulevard. Meanwhile, independent candidate Huang Shan-shan, who has the backing of Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, has picked the surrounding roads next to the Taipei City Hall.

We head to the spot where Chiang will hold his election-eve rally. It’s a spacious area. and a stage is already being constructed. But the stage is not for Chiang’s rally. It turns out that Huang will be the first here, as she has booked the area for an event on Sunday.

Chiang Wan-an
KMT Taipei Mayoral Candidate
We looked at several venues in the planning stages. In the end, in addition to considering places that were easy to reach by public transport, we also had to make considerations to avoid traffic congestion during the setup.

Huang Shan-shan
Independent Taipei Mayoral Candidate
I know that Chiang Wan-an didn’t grab Ketagalan Boulevard, so he ended up renting the same space I’ll be using on Nov. 20. The event I’m holding there is Taiwan surpassing political struggles between the KMT and DPP political camps, and to think outside these two boxes, so that the city’s residents can be their own masters.

The venues need to be chosen well to help each candidate build momentum on the last day before Taiwan heads to the polls.

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Taiwan’s representative Morris Chang has exchanges with world leaders at APEC

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Taipei to discontinue current YouBike 1.0 system fully on Dec. 10

Over the past few years, two public bike systems have operated side by side in Taipei and New Taipei. That’s the YouBike 1.0 network with its orange bikes, and the YouBike 2.0 network with its white bikes. Starting Dec. 10 Taipei will cease to use the 1.0 bikes to switch fully to the newer 2.0 bicycles. So if you travel by bike between the two cities, beware! If after the phase-out you rent a 1.0 bike in New Taipei and ride over to Taipei, you’ll have nowhere to return it, resulting in a fine of NT$350.

Riding a YouBike to work is part of many people’s daily commutes. And many people use the bikes to travel between Taipei and New Taipei. Riders should be aware that changes are coming next month.

Wang Fu-min
FTV reporter
Currently, there are two public bike networks: YouBike 1.0 and YouBike 2.0. Starting Dec. 3, Taipei will phase out its YouBike 1.0 bikes.

According to Taipei city data, every day, about 2,000 trips are made on public bikes to travel between Taipei and New Taipei, and about 400 of them are done on YouBike 1.0s. To minimize disruption, Taipei will phase out its YouBike 1.0 system gradually.

From Dec. 3 to Dec. 6, YouBike 1.0 docking stations in Taipei will not allow rentals, only returns. From Dec. 7 to Dec. 9, returns will not be allowed at any docking sites, except for 30 popular docking stations along the border between Taipei and New Taipei. Starting Dec. 10, the YouBike 1.0 system will be completely phased out in Taipei. If you drive one of those bikes into Taipei and can’t return it, you’ll have to pay NT$350 to get it towed away.

Liao Yuan-ling
Taipei Department of Transportation
If you accidentally ride a YouBike 1.0 over the border, you’ll have to notify the operator, YouBike. They can assist you with the problem, but they will charge a fee for transporting the bike across cities.

Already, there are 1,211 YouBike 2.0 docking stations in Taipei, totaling more than 13,000 bikes. Currently, YouBike 1.0s account for just about 8.5% of all rentals in the city, as their docking stations are gradually removed.

Liao Yuan-ling
Taipei Department of Transportation
YouBike 1.0 docking stations will only be replaced with YouBike 2.0 docking stations in locations where there is high demand. In other areas, they’ll just be replaced with pavement, or parking spaces.

Meanwhile, New Taipei has put notices at its docking stations informing users to ride YouBike 2.0s if traveling over to Taipei. The city is also increasing the number of 2.0 docking stations.

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Immersive 3D experience of classical Chinese painting will bring river to life

The most famous painting in China is about to hit Taiwan like never before. "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" is to be an immersive experience in Taipei. The Song dynasty painting depicts life in ancient China along the banks of a river. Now, for the first time, the public will get a chance to fly above the scene in a 3D simulation. Some lucky VIPs have had a sneak preview, and said the experience felt extremely real.

A ship passes underneath the famous Hongqiao Bridge. Sailors are busy shouting orders or punting. Vendors on the banks of the river shout and gesticulate to hawk their wares. Previously, National Palace Museum made a moving animation of “Along the River During the Qingming Festival.” And now a different team has created an immersive simulation can give you an even more unusual perspective.

You sit in a flying machine to soar over the ancient city of Bianjing.Crossing the river and Hongqiao Bridge, you enter the bustling market at night.

Immersive experience industry
Right now people are focusing on what we call immersive experiences. We want to launch “Along the River During the Qingming Festival” by the end of the year. We’ll create a 20-meter dome immersive experience, where you can feel like you’re really flying inside. So you can come here to learn while having an awesome time.

The original scroll is one of the most famous classical Chinese paintings. It dates to the 12th century. Painted by Song dynasty artist Zhang Zeduan, it depicts commerce, architecture, transport and daily life scenes from Bianjing, the capital of the Northern Song dynasty. Visitors to the experience can also try on clothes from the era.

Member of public
We saw some very detailed scenes and characters from Bianjing. And there were some scenes where we fell right in the water! Oh my god, the water came right in – it felt so real!

From ink on paper, to a moving animation, and now a 3D immersion: this painting, perhaps the most famous in all of Chinese history, is getting fresh audiences thanks to the innovations of technology.

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A giant, electronic balloon on a backpack is political campaign hit in 2022

A big hit of this year’s local elections is the "election balloon!" You might have seen one on the back of your local political hopeful as they canvass votes. It’s a giant, electronic balloon on a backpack. And it’s the No. 1 promo tool of choice for many candidates. In districts where they’re used, spotting the balloon is a highlight of the evening for locals.

Locals head to the street to catch the garbage truck. Chang Wei-chien spots her chance to distribute leaflets and free gifts to potential voters. A gigantic balloon on her backpack is her big publicity tool – and it’s become a popular spectacle.

When dusk falls, the balloon lights up, with the candidate’s name and picture still easy to spot from far off.

Chang Wei-chien
New Taipei councilor candidate (DPP)
As soon as I put it on, it becomes the center of attention. Plus it’s shaped like a backpack, so I have my hands free to greet voters. I always use it when I’m going round the garbage truck and I’m handing out publicity materials. At night, it glows. It’s the best, best promotional tool.

Another New Taipei council candidate, Hsu Chao-hsing, has a balloon on her back too, as she goes around the streets talking to voters. Balloons are a real trend at the 2022 election.

Lin Yen-feng
Taipei City council candidate (DPP)
It makes me look like a firefly! It catches your eye even in the dark.

Taipei City candidate Lin Yen-feng demonstrates how her balloon works. First she opens up the frame and fits the balloon to the pipe, connecting it to a battery. Then she can fill it with air and turn on the light. The whole contraption weighs just 4.5 kilograms. It’s a very eye-catching and effective publicity stunt for political candidates. The manufacturer says orders grew a lot this year.

Hsia Chi-hsiu
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I made them by hand at first. Then a friend gave me a suggestion and said “Hey, can’t you do it like a suitcase, with an extendable handle?” So I improved it and that meant I could mass-produce it. I think I’ve made twice as many this year, compared to the last election.

The elections are mere weeks away now, and candidates are spending as much time as possible getting the word out. A balloon could be the difference between victory and loss.

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Taipei City launches 24-hour 1959 hotline for animals

According to the latest data, the total population of dogs and cats in Taiwan reached 2.95 million last year, which exceeded the number of children aged 14 and under in the country. To help injured or abused pets and strays, the Taipei City Government has launched a 24-hour emergency hotline that allows people in Taipei to report animal abuse and access animal-rescue services. FTV reporter Stephany Yang has the details.

Stephany Yang
FTV reporter
This new 24-hour emergency hotline 1959 will allow people to report animal abuse and seek animal rescue services.

To improve the efficiency of animal-rescue services, Taipei has launched a 24-hour pet rescue hotline, accessible by dialing 1959. People who find animals that need rescue or protection in the city they can call the line to file a report.

Lin Chung-chieh
Taipei Department of Economic Development
We already had a rescue line at the animal protection office, but the number was not easy to remember, so people would tend to call the general city helpline at 1999 instead. After calling 1999, you’ll be transferred over, which takes time and often leads to missing the golden window for treatment. So we worked hard on the issue with the central government, and after passing the NCC’s review, we launched the first animal-rescue hotline in the country. It’s a 24-hour service, so people can notify authorities immediately, and rescue services can be dispatched in a timely manner.

The number of pets in Taiwan is growing by 10% annually. According to the Taipei City Animal Protection Office, last year there were roughly 10,000 cases reported through the animal-rescue hotline in the city. Around 1,700 cases involved dogs or cats.

Chen Ying-hao
Taipei City Animal Protection Office
According to statistics for last year, there were around 10,000 animal-rescue cases in Taipei, 1,700 cases involving dogs and cats. Many of the other cases involved birds. Birds often fall out of their nests or are injured from flying into buildings. If the public reports these sightings, our animal protection team will go there to rescue the animals.

The city government also cooperates with the police and 24 special animal hospitals. This allows police to assist with the emergency rescue and evacuation of animals, so that injured animals can receive professional medical treatment as soon as possible.

Chen Ying-hao
Taipei City Animal Protection Office
Some animal protection cases, especially in the community, require the intervention of the police. The Taipei City Police Department has established a relevant cooperation mechanism with the Animal Protection Office. When some cases occur within the police’s jurisdiction, they will cooperate with the Animal Protection Office to help handle the situation. The line is used for rescue and animal protection. Rescue entails saving animals that are injured on the road, or birds that have fallen out of their nests. You can call the line to report such cases and request rescue. The focus of animal protection is abuse. For example, if someone notices their neighbor or someone on the street mistreating animals, they can report that through the dedicated line.

When someone finds an animal that needs to be rescued in Taipei, they should first confirm the animal’s condition, specific location, and surrounding environment, and then dial the 1959 animal protection hotline to seek help.

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