Car Free Taipei
Today marks the beginning of a month of activities to promote sustainable transport in Taipei. The first event was a Car Free Day in Taipei. It began early this morning with a bike ride from Taipei City Hall to Zhonghe in Taipei County.
Cyclists of all ages, riding all kinds of bicycles participated in the event. People started arriving before seven o'clock in the morning, but it wasn't until Taipei Mayor, Ma Ying-jeou, arrived just before eight o'clock that the event got underway officially. Taipei County Commissioner, Chou Si-wei, was also there to help launch the event.
The ride set out along Ren'ai Road. Police controlled the traffic and ensured cyclists had the road free to themselves. Even though it was officially Car Free Day, the majority of Taipei's residents weren't participating! It then took a left turn onto Xinsheng Road before crossing the Xindian River into Taipei County and finishing at a park in Zhonghe.
It was great to enjoy a car free ride through the streets of Taipei. It's just a pity it only happens once a year! I have created a photo set Flickr where you can see some more photos of the event. For more information about activities planned for this month see the Taipei City Government website.
UPDATE: The Taipei Times published a great front page photo of the ride.
Free Burma concert in Kaohsiung on 19 June
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Action for Burma in Taipei
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Thousands march for Tibet in Taipei
Posted: September 23rd, 2006 under Cycling, Environment, Taipei City.
Tags: car free day
Comments
Pingback from Car Free Day bike rides in Taipei 2008 – David on Formosa
Time 21 September 2008 at 1:44 pm
[...] last participated in Taipei’s Car Free Day bike ride back in 2006. In previous years there has been a combined event for Taipei City and County, however this year [...]
Comment from Mark
Time 26 September 2006 at 4:34 pm
Back when I lived in Boulder, CO, there was a group called “Critical Mass” that sponsored huge bicycle rides through he city on a weekly basis. The Mayor used to participate, too. I’m really happy to see a car free day celebrated here. If Taibei ever becomes as bicycle friendly as Beijing, it would be a wonderful thing.