TAICHUNG (TVBS News) — Taichung's Tourism and Travel Bureau (台中觀旅局) on Tuesday (Dec. 10) set a deadline for bicycle rental operators to address the mounting traffic issues caused by their encroachment on sidewalks and streets at the popular tourist destination HouFeng Bikeway (后豐鐵馬道) by Dec. 23.
The bureau reported more than 5.1 million visitors in 2023, with approximately 4.82 million from January to October 2024. Despite Houli Horse Ranch (后里馬場) being a favored spot for tourists and cyclists, the roads around it struggle with holiday traffic congestion. The mix of bicycle and pedestrian traffic has led to chaos.
Taichung City Councilor Jacky Chen (陳清龍) criticized the city government's inaction and demanded the clearing of sidewalks, adjustment of road markings, and strict prohibition of rental operator solicitation. He called for increased police enforcement and urged operators to self-regulate to ensure pedestrian and vehicular safety.
Chen specifically identified two bicycle rental businesses near the ranch, accusing them of indiscriminately parking bicycles on sidewalks and soliciting rentals on the roadside. He suggested the bureau coordinate with the ranch's OT operators to repurpose space for ticketing, parking, or rental services.
