Travel by train and bike—embark on a carefree journey across the East Rift Valley on two wheels

By Li Xinyi

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications will launch the “Taiwan Cycling Festival ~ East Rift Valley Two-Rail Leisure Tour” event starting September 24, inviting the public to experience a new way to enjoy the eastern cycling network by taking the train. The September event is scheduled for September 24–25, 2011, with online registration officially opening at 1:00 PM on September 19. Ticket options include the person-and-bike combo ticket, the two-rail combo ticket, and the free itinerary combo ticket, all offered at 30% to 60% off market prices.

To promote the weekend-only (Saturdays and Sundays) attached two-rail person-and-bike carriage service operated by Taiwan Railways between Shulin and Taitung, as well as eight bike support stations in Hsincheng, Hualien, Shoufeng, Ruisui, Yuli, Antong, Guanshan, and Taitung—including services such as bike pick-up at one station and return at another, bike repairs, shower facilities, rest areas, and water refills—the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Bureau has partnered with Taiwan Railways to launch the “East Rift Valley Two-Rail Leisure Tour.” The event offers a person-and-bike combo ticket for NT$490–690 per person, an Hualien or Taitung two-rail combo ticket for NT$450–590 per person, and a two-day-one-night free itinerary combo ticket for NT$890–2700 per person.

Participants can take advantage of the “rent a bike in one place, return it in another” policy to experience the leisurely and convenient new travel style in the East Rift Valley through “slow riding and wandering.” The “Taiwan Cycling Festival ~ East Rift Valley Two-Rail Leisure Tour” event takes place on the last weekend of each month from September to December, spanning four sessions (9/24–25, 10/29–30, 11/26–27, 12/24–25), while the main cycling festival runs from November 5 to 13 across eight sessions.

Eastern Taiwan Cycling Portal: taiwanbike.tw