When visiting Taiwan, experiencing the vast ocean, exploring historical sites, and climbing high mountains will surely offer an extraordinary experience. Even just standing on the street and watching the passing vehicles can reveal a sense of "aesthetic difference" and provide some unique insights.
Motorcycles Dare to Race Cars
Cities in Taiwan, like many cities on the mainland, suffer from severe traffic congestion during peak times and on key roads, especially in major cities such as Taipei and Kaohsiung. Many cities on the mainland have introduced a series of anti-congestion
"measures"—such as staggered work hours, odd-even license plate restrictions, motorcycle bans, and time-based traffic limits—but their effectiveness is limited. Taiwan, on the other hand, has adopted a different approach from the motorcycle bans seen in many mainland cities—motorcycles are allowed to operate freely within urban areas, and families are encouraged to own them. Taiwan’s transportation system is quite developed, with a full range of options including private cars, buses, subways, and high-speed rail. Yet at the same time, the abundance of motorcycles has become a distinctive feature of Taiwan. According to tour guides, Taiwan has a population of about 23 million, with 11.5 million motorcycles, meaning nearly one motorcycle for every two people.
Why develop so many motorcycles?
Through careful observation on the streets, I’ve identified at least several contributing factors: 1) Motorcycles effectively alleviate urban car congestion. Their small size and flexibility allow them to weave through traffic, often moving faster than cars during congestion. Moreover, they don’t occupy much of the road space designated for cars, giving them a clear advantage in busy traffic conditions. Even when stationary, a car takes up significantly more space, while a motorcycle occupies only slightly more than a bicycle. 2) Motorcycles save energy. Many cars carry only the driver, resulting in very low efficiency. In the same scenario, a single motorcycle suffices. Compared to cars, motorcycles consume less fuel, are more resource-efficient, and more economical. Of course, Taiwan’s consistently warm climate throughout the year also provides a unique condition that suits the prevalence of motorcycles.