Ride the breeze with you: Taipei Riverside Parks offer free hand-crank bikes and balance bikes

▲ Many people ride bikes in the riverside parks on holidays. (Photo / Reporter Zhou Chen'geng)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

To protect the rights of people with disabilities and others, ten Taipei riverside bike rental stations now provide free hand-crank bikes and balance bikes, allowing individuals with disabilities and children aged 2–5 to enjoy cycling and the pleasant spring breeze.

▲ Hand-crank bike(Photo / Sourced from Taipei City Government, same below)

▲ Kids’ balance bike

Although Taipei’s riverside parks already have well-developed cycling paths and six themed parks, to better serve all citizens, the city applied for funds from the Public Welfare Lottery Surplus Distribution Fund to purchase hand-crank bikes for use by people with disabilities and seniors aged 65+. The "hand-crank bike" moves by hand cranking instead of pedaling, reducing risks such as strains or falls during leisure activities for seniors or those with lower limb limitations. For children aged 2–5, free PUSHBIKE balance bikes are also provided to keep them entertained.

Bikes can be borrowed on-site by registration or by phone (or online) reservation. Borrowing hours are from 8 AM to 8 PM daily. By providing an ID (disability certificate, national ID, or other valid documents) and leaving contact information, users can borrow a bike for up to two hours.