Over one million YouBike rides in Changhua in six months; Lukang to get rental stations too

▲ Changhua YouBike. (Photo / Reporter Huang Shih-yuan)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Since its launch in May this year, the usage rate of Changhua YouBike has been climbing steadily. By early November, the total number of rides had surpassed one million. At the “YouBike Million Ridership Press Conference” on the 14th, Changhua County Magistrate Cho Po-yuan expressed his delight and announced that rental stations will also be set up in Lukang.

Cho Po-yuan noted that Changhua’s YouBike smile bikes are the first public bicycle rental system in central Taiwan after Taipei. Since its launch on May 22, it hit 500,000 rides on September 3 and surpassed one million rides on November 2. It is expected to reach 10 million rides within the next two and a half years. He also pointed out that the introduction of YouBike in Changhua has effectively alleviated urban traffic congestion, environmental pollution, and energy consumption. He hopes that the continuous expansion of rental stations will make life more convenient for residents and fully implement energy-saving and carbon-reduction initiatives.

▲ Changhua will launch YouBike mini-tours to explore local landmarks such as the Fan-Shaped Roundhouse. (Photo / Provided by netizen Una; authorized for use by “ETtoday Travel Cloud,” no reproduction allowed)

Taking advantage of the milestone of one million YouBike rides, the Changhua County Government has launched four “Changhua YouBike Mini-Tours” guided itineraries on November 22 and 23:

First Route: “Literature and Faith in Old Changhua”: Visit Little West Specialty Street, Lai Ho Memorial Hall, Changhua Art Museum, Literature Trail, Butokuden, Confucius Temple, and Kaihua Temple.

Second Route: “Historical Life and Picnic Fun Route”: Explore the Fan-Shaped Roundhouse -> 1895 Anti-Japanese Taiwan Defense Memorial Hall -> Bagua Mountain Giant Buddha -> Changhua Success Camp.

Third Route: Yuanlin “Slow Streets Mini-Tour”: Guangming Street (Sweet Potato Market) -> Stone Carving Alley (Dawn Alley) -> Xingxian Academy -> Yuanlin Park -> Yuanlin Catholic Church -> Yuanlin Sugar Railway Bike Path.

Fourth Route: Yuanlin “Journey into Old Memories” > Yuanlin Railway Granary -> Zhongzheng Road Historic Buildings -> Police Story Museum -> Yuanlin Agricultural and Industrial Old Dormitory Complex -> Baiguo Mountain Scenic Area (Yuanlin Shrine and Happiness Slide).

Each tour is limited to 10 participants and will be led by professional guides to help the public gain a deeper understanding of Changhua’s cultural and historical heritage. For event details and registration, visit the Changhua County Government Tourism Information Network.