Department of Transportation

On Oct. 1st, 2013, Taipei City announced two new rules for its bicycle-sharing “YouBike” program. While one of the rules requires the users to wait at least 15 minutes prior to renting another bike after just returning a bike at the same rental station, the other rule involves a progressive charge scheme. In the new charge scheme, the users who rent YouBike for a relatively longer time have to pay NT$20 for every 30 minutes between the 4th and the 8th hours, and NT$40 for every 30 minutes after 8 hours. Both rules were introduced as part of an effort to accelerate the turnover of YouBikes, and ultimately to enhance the fairness of this bike-sharing program.

To fulfill the concepts of YouBike, fairness and sharing, the Department of Transportation, Taipei City Government hopes to encourage the rental of short-distance and short-term, and discourage long-time use. The two new rules, “restrictions of continuous bike use” and “progressive rental rates” took effect on Oct. 1st, 2013. More details are stated as follows:

1. Restrictions of continuous bike use: Users shall not rent a new YouBike within 15 minutes of returning one at the same rental station. Given the potential need for replacing bikes due to malfunctions or other concerns, the rule does not apply if a user returns a bike within 5 minutes of the rental at the same station.

2. Progressive rental rates: With an EasyCard, a YouBike user can rent a public bicycle free of charge for the first 30 minutes and after that, pays NT$10 per 30 minutes within 4 hours of use, NT$20 for every 30 minutes between the 4th hour and 8th hours, and then NT$40 for every 30 minutes after 8 hours.

The Department stressed that the rule changes are intended to give every Taipei resident a fair opportunity to take advantage of the YouBike program. It called on the public to avoid long-term rental or intentionally extending the bike rental period using another person’s EasyCard, in order to protect all users’ rights and ensure a fair bike-sharing program. Users of YouBike are also advised to follow the traffic rules. Do not ride the bicycle onto the arcades, and be polite when passing on the left sides of the pedestrians by saying “excuse me”, “coming through” and “thank you” or gently ringing a bell. Treating every pedestrian with politeness, YouBike users can turn Taipei into a city with a truly friendly cycling culture.

2013-10-21