TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A new YouBike penalty points system will be introduced in Taipei, New Taipei, and Taoyuan next month.
Starting on July 1, riding YouBikes on covered sidewalks, not yielding to pedestrians on sidewalks, using a mobile phone while riding, carrying passengers, and running red lights will each result in a one-point penalty. Accumulating three points within a year will result in a 14-day suspension, while accruing seven points will result in a one-year suspension.
YouBike cyclists reported by the police for riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs will receive a two-year suspension. During this period, all registered cards on the member's account will be unable to rent YouBikes nationwide.
The new regulations reference the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例). In addition to the penalty points, riding on sidewalks or in fast traffic lanes while using a mobile phone while riding, will incur fines ranging from NT$300 (US$9) to NT$1,200.
If someone on a YouBike commits a violation, the Department of Transportation will notify the YouBike Company to implement the penalty points and inform the individual via message.
If there are objections, the user can appeal to the Department of Transportation within seven days. The points will be automatically cleared from the user's account after one year.
On Thursday (June 27), Taipei Department of Transportation Director Hsieh Ming-hong (謝銘鴻), New Taipei City Department of Transportation Director Chung Ming-shih (鍾鳴時), and Taoyuan Department of Transportation Director-General Chang Hsin-fu (張新福) gathered in front of the Far Eastern SOGO Taipei Zhongxiao Store to promote a “pedestrian-priority riding culture," reported CNA.
Department of Transportation section chief Chu Chen-zuo (朱宸佐) said that according to statistics from the Taipei City Police Department's Traffic Division and the Department of Transportation, the number of complaints and accidents involving bicycles on sidewalks has increased yearly over the past three years. Chu added that conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians have also risen, prompting collaboration with YouBike Co. to introduce the point penalty system.
Chu said in addition to deploying more traffic assistants to patrol hotspots, the public can also take photos or videos of violations with identifiable bike numbers and report them through the 1999 complaint system. Once violations are verified, the data will be handed over to the YouBike Co. to record the point deductions, and the violator will be notified via SMS.
Chu emphasized that cyclists must walk their bikes when passing through covered sidewalks and should not press the bell to urge pedestrians to move out of the way. Bicycles should be ridden on roadways, marked bicycle lanes, or designated shared paths; otherwise, it constitutes a violation, said Chu.
On May 15, Taipei's Department of Transportation said that starting from July 1, individuals must register as members through the YouBike website or app on Google Play or Apple and apply for free bicycle injury insurance. Those who do not obtain bicycle injury insurance will be unable to rent YouBike 2.0E bikes.
