The YouBike demerit system is to take effect in Taipei, New Taipei City and Taoyuan from Monday with the aim of building walkable environments for pedestrians, city officials said yesterday.
A government campaign was launched yesterday in front of the Far Eastern Sogo Department Store’s Zhongxiao outlet in Taipei to promote pedestrian priority, attended by Taipei Department of Transportation Director Hsieh Ming-hung (謝銘鴻), New Taipei City Department of Transportation Director Chung Ming-shih (鍾鳴時) and Taoyuan Department of Transportation Director Chang Hsin-fu (張新福).
The transportation authorities and YouBike collaboratively launched the demerit system in response to an increase in complaints and injuries related to sidewalk accidents, and conflicts between bike riders and pedestrians, over the past three years, Taipei Department of Transportation official Chu Chen-tso (朱宸佐) said.
Photo: CNA
A demerit point would be issued if a rider cycles on a covered walkway, runs a red light, rides the wrong way on a road, fails to yield to a pedestrian, uses a mobile phone while riding or carries a passenger, Chu said.
A 14-day suspension would be given to those who accrue three points within one year, a 12-month suspension to those who accrue seven points and a 24-month suspension to those who ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The suspended rider would not be allowed to use any card registered under their YouBike account to rent a YouBike in any of the nation’s administrative regions during the suspension period, Chu said.
While more transportation department assistants would be sent to patrol hotspots for traffic accidents, Taipei residents may also report violations to the transportation department via the 1999 hotline or its online platform, and send photos or videos of the YouBike number, Chu said, adding that the perpetrator would receive a text message about their demerit after the facts are verified.
He also appealed to the public to walk their bike when passing through an arcade walkway, and not to ring the bell to pressure pedestrians.
A rider would be in violation of the rules if they fail to cycle on vehicle lanes, roads marked with a bike sign or sidewalks marked with a shared-use sign, he added.
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