To welcome the festive spirit of Christmas, the New Taipei City Government organized a series of activities for the Joyful Christmas City event. On the 2nd, the “New Taipei Riverside Christmas Celebration – Coming-of-Age Ceremony & Leisure Ride” commenced at the Crescent Bicycle Rental Station, with Vice Mayor Hou Yu-ih leading the ride. Participating students set off on their bikes, starting from the Crescent Bridge and cycling along the Dahan River to the Sunshine Sports Park, Dadaocheng, Breeze Canal, and finally to the Bali Mi-Fei Park, enjoying the beautiful sights of New Taipei City’s riverside parks along the route.
This event was guided by the New Taipei City High Ground Engineering Office and organized by the Republic of China Leisure Culture and Sports Association, drawing over 500 participants. The program featured three segments: the “Coming-of-Age Ceremony,” the “Leisure Ride,” and the “Push Bike Fun Race.” Those who registered also received one T-shirt and one water bottle each.
In his speech, Vice Mayor Hou encouraged the students to view cycling as a meaningful coming-of-age experience. He highlighted the picturesque New Taipei City riverside bike paths as the perfect route for a one-day long-distance challenge to foster personal growth. He also noted that to create a more bike-friendly environment for residents, New Taipei City has developed an extensive network of cycling paths, including those along Bali’s Left Bank, Golden Waterfront, Xindian River, Dahan River, the Erchong Ring Road, and Xizhi.
The city also regularly hosts cycling events and has set up 15 bicycle rental stations across its riverside parks. These stations not only allow for on-site rentals but also offer the convenience of “rent here, return there” services, providing residents with a more comprehensive and user-friendly biking experience. Participants also shared that bringing their children to the event allowed them to discover the beauty along the New Taipei riverside paths. Despite the chilly weather, it added an extra layer of challenge to the kids’ coming-of-age ceremony, making the experience even more meaningful.