First iBike Slow Travel Experience in Taichung: One Smooth Ride from Qiuhong Valley to Fengjia Night Market

Photos & Text byOrange Dog Loves Candy

Travel and food in Taichung have always been popular highlights, thanks to its central location between northern and southern Taiwan. The city blends diverse lifestyles and culinary traditions from both regions, offering a rich variety of experiences. With the added appeal of the bustling Fengjia Tourist Night Market and numerous upscale themed restaurants, Taichung has much to offer. But when it comes to traveling in Taichung, transportation has always been a bit of a hassle for outsiders. While the bus system has become quite convenient in recent years, the distances between attractions mean that unless you’re well-versed in the bus routes, most visitors end up taking taxis or renting cars. This year, as the BRT system in Taichung is nearing completion, efforts are underway to improve supporting transport options.

(Remember the U-Bike that Yukie Nakama rode on? That caused quite a stir too, XDDD!) In addition to adjustments in bus routes and the construction of the Wenxin Line MRT, this month also marks the introduction of the I-Bike bicycle rental system. Initially, 20 stations are planned along the BRT line by the end of the year, with three test stations launching at the end of July: Taipei City Hall (Wenxin Building), Qiuhong Valley, and Fengjia Night Market (McDonald's). I visited these three spots and snapped some photos. In terms of distance, I think it’s perfect for planning a short trip around West District. (Funny how the bikes still say U-Bike, but Taichung insists on calling the system I-Bike.)

[Rental Method]: Using an ‘EasyCard’ is the most cost-effective option. The first 30 minutes are free (registration required) — though staff mentioned that the Yushan EasyCard offers the first hour free. The rate is NT$10 per 30 minutes for the first 4 hours, which works out to just NT$20 per hour. From 4 to 8 hours, it’s NT$20 every 30 minutes, and after 8 hours, it’s NT$40 every 30 minutes.

Prices are similar to those in Taipei or Changhua, and it’s no wonder so many people love renting bikes since they’re so affordable. (But remember to register at the Kiosk service machine at the bike station with your card and phone beforehand.) One thing to note: you can’t return and rent a bike again at the same station within 15 minutes. This waiting period ensures others have a chance to rent.

If you don’t have an EasyCard, you can rent a bike directly with a credit card, but you won’t get the first 30 minutes free. Honestly, buying an EasyCard at a convenience store is super handy — not only do you get discounts on Taipei MRT rides, but

you can also use it for buses in Taipei, Taichung, and Tainan, or for purchases at convenience stores. It’s really convenient. Later on, we’ll take a look at the locations and environments of the other stations, which you can easily find by checking the photos. (Currently, there are only three stations: Taipei City Hall (Wenxian Building), Qiuhong Valley, and Fengjia Night Market (McDonald's).)

First up is the [Taipei City Hall (Wenxian Building) Bike Station]: Located near the Wenxin Road side (if you’re facing the front of the City Hall building, Wenxin Road is on your left).

Perhaps to maintain the visual appeal of the City Hall’s facade, the I-Bike station here is actually situated on Wenxin Road.

But the bus stop is on Zhonggang Road (Taiwan Boulevard), so if you’re not familiar with Taichung, finding the station might take a bit of effort.

It only takes about 10 minutes to walk from the Taipei BRT Station, but tourists might not know where Wenxian Building is.

Fortunately, there are staff at each station to guide users on how to rent and operate the bikes, which should feel familiar even to those from Taipei or Changhua.

There are quite a few bikes at each station — I’d estimate around 45 to 50 bikes available for rent at each location.

The bikes feature an orange frame with a yellow canopy, complete with a bell and basket at the front.

There’s a lock near the basket that lets you secure the bike by locking the front wheel.

Remember, when returning or picking up a bike, there’s what looks like a tombstone (just kidding!) with a card reader. Check the light signals before returning or taking a bike. Instructions for unlocking and locking are posted at the station, so make sure to read them carefully — losing a bike isn’t cheap.

The seat is pretty comfortable, and bikes are for single riders only — no tandem riding, and definitely no attempts to bike up Wuling.

Next is the [Qiuhong Valley Bike Station]: Located near Chaofu Road, in front of Kuo-Kuang Bus. This was the hardest station for me to find because it’s located along the long, narrow sidewalk of Qiuhong Valley and partially blocked by motorcycles.

But if you look for the Kuo-Kuang Bus stop across from Chaoma Station, you’ll spot it. So for travelers, this is the most convenient spot to rent an I-Bike and hop on a bus. Whether you’re taking HeXin, Kuo-Kuang, or Tonglian buses, you can rent a bike right after getting off — that is, if you’re heading to Fengjia Night Market.

Or if you’re coming from Fengjia Night Market, you can rent a bike there and ride over, which is also very convenient. Plus, walking toward Taiwan Boulevard, you’ll find BRT and bus stops, making it easy to reach other attractions.

Finally, the [Fengjia Night Market Bike Station]: Located diagonally across from McDonald's at the intersection of Fengjia Road and Fuxing Road. You can see it from the McDonald's entrance — it’s in the former motorcycle parking area, now transformed into an I-Bike rental spot. Fengjia Night Market is an incredibly popular tourist destination, bustling with people all year round, regardless of the day or season.

As a result, bike rentals here are bound to be in high demand. When I visited, over half the bikes were already taken, so be prepared that you might not find one easily. Still, it makes getting around much more convenient. If you’re in Taichung, skipping Fengjia’s street food would be a shame — I recommend renting a bike from Qiuhong Valley and riding over so you can sample even more snacks.

Changhua’s U-Bike system launched several months earlier than Taichung’s, and you can already see plenty of people riding them around. I’m not sure why such a big city like Taichung is lagging behind, and why they had to come up with a quirky name while starting with just three stations. But still, something is better than nothing. For travelers who enjoy slow, leisurely trips, renting a bike is a great way to save money and enjoy the journey. Hopefully, the upcoming 20 stations will open soon to connect more attractions. For those interested in I-Bikes, it’s time to gear up and go!! (Don’t forget to get an EasyCard first!!)

[I-Bike Rental Stations (Qiuhong Valley – Taipei City Hall – Fengjia)
Address: The three current stations are as listed in the text
Service Hotline: 04-23692255
Business Hours: 24 hours, year-round
Spending tip: It is recommended to use the YouYou Card as it offers the first 30 minutes free.