The Institute of Transportation (IOT) has completed a manual to help facilitate planning and design for bicycle routes nationwide.
Lin Kuo-shian (林國顯), the institute's transportation division director, said the manual draws a list of recommendations on basic infrastructure and standards that local governments can use when they design bicycle routes, including width and height for bicycle lanes, traffic and landmark signs to guide cyclists and types of pavement that can be used to build bicycle lanes.
The IOT is a government institution responsible for conducting transportation research and offering policy advice to the bureaus under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.
“One of the new ideas proposed is to have supply stations along bicycle routes for cyclists,” Lin said. “We have divided these supply stations into different levels,” depending on the service they offer.
Level 1 and Level 2 supply stations will offer very basic services, including rudimentary medical supplies, tools for repairing bicycles, water faucets or sinks, water fountains, seats and shower facilities.
Level 3 to Level 5 facilities will include high-end services such as bicycle shops, bicycle rental services, a tourist information center and accommodation.
Lin said that some of the police stations along these routes have already begun to function as supply stations.
The institute has proposed turning some of Taiwan Railway Administration's first-tier railway stations around Hualien and Taitung, such as Rueisui (瑞穗), Hualien, Yuli (玉里), Kuanshan (關山) and Taitung, into supply stations.
He said local governments could design traffic signs to fit their need, but they must incorporate crucial information for the cyclists, including directions.
The ministry is scheduled to complete the design of five bicycle routes along the east coast by the end of this year, Lin said. They include the Old Caoling Tunnel route in Taipei County, the coastal route in Ilan County, the Liyutan (鯉魚潭) route in Hualien County, the Kuanshan route and the Shimen (石門) coastal route in Taitung County.
The 76.15km Liyutan route connects Hualien's Sincheng (新城), Shoufeng (壽豐), Liyutan and Chian (吉安) townships, and is the longest of the five routes.
Maps on the five bicycle routes will be posted on the institute's Web site before the end of this year.
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