YouBike Violations: Transportation Bureau Says Riding on Sidewalks and Failing to Yield to Pedestrians Are the Most Common Offenses

▲Smiling Bikes YouBike. (Photo / Reporter Lu YBaihuangti

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Taipei City Transportation Bureau officially implemented the "YouBike Violation Point System" on February 6 this year. Even so, there are still instances of failure to yield to pedestrians on the streets of Taipei. Liu JiayP, head of the bureau’s Regulation Division, stated that after the point system was introduced, targeted on-site awareness campaigns have been intensified, and the situation of violations has gradually improved.

Smiling Bikes YouBike quickly gained popularity in 2013 and has become the most widely used mode of transportation in Taipei. With the increasing number of users, as of the end of February, the total number of users has exceeded one million. The "YouBike Violation Point System" came into effect on January 1 this year. Liu JiayP explained that the main purpose of implementing the violation point system is to encourage YouBike users, who are also fellow road users, to be considerate and yield to pedestrians, and to avoid causing inconvenience to others.

▲YouBike Violation Point Table (Photo / Taipei City Government Transportation Bureau)

Liu JiayP pointed out that riding on sidewalks, failing to dismount and walk in crowded areas, and other behaviors that do not yield to pedestrians are currently the most frequently encountered violations. He said that after the point system was introduced, targeted on-site awareness campaigns have been continued to remind users not to violate the rules, and the situation of violations has gradually improved. Citizens who encounter violators can take photos of the bike number and report it to the Taipei City Transportation Bureau via the Mayor’s Mailbox or the 1999 Citizen Hotline, helping the city government uphold proper conduct.

To avoid making pedestrians feel unwelcome, Liu JiayP reminded YouBike users to minimize the use of bells while riding and instead verbally say “Excuse me” when passing. Furthermore, prioritizing safety, dismounting and walking in crowded areas is the proper conduct expected of YouBike users.