The “last mile” of green transit
In 2022 the output value of the bicycle industry in Taiwan, which has long been known internationally as a “bicycle kingdom,” surpassed NT$200 billion, the second highest of any country in the world. Although one could say that because of its hot, humid, and rainy climate Taiwan has not developed a bicycle commuting culture similar to those in Europe and Japan, with support from its powerful bike industry Taiwan has made impressive achievements in the realm of public bicycle sharing.
For example, Velo-city Global is a cycle planning conference that is seen as a major event for the bicycle industry and is always hosted by a high-profile city that shows leadership in cycling and sustainable transport policies. The 2016 conference was held in Taipei, the first time the event took place in Asia. This suggests that Taiwan’s YouBike bikeshare network, launched in Taipei in 2009, was already attracting international attention.
As we move towards a future of low-carbon lifestyles, bicycles are seen as a solution to the “last mile” problem for green transportation, by carrying people between their homes and mass transit systems. “Trains and mass rapid transit systems can be seen as the main arteries, buses as the small arteries, and public bicycles as the capillaries.” This remark by Frank Su, director of the YouBike bikeshare service, clearly defines the roles played by various modes of transportation.
In Taiwan the name YouBike is virtually synonymous with public bike sharing. YouBike’s parent company is the Giant Group, the leading firm in Taiwan’s bike industry. Such backing has made it possible for YouBike to become one of the few bikeshare services that operate with a unified system bringing together design, development, manufacturing, and operations.
Frank Su emphasizes that the initial motivation behind YouBike was to promote cycling culture and allow ordinary people to enjoy the pleasure of short cycling trips while also ensuring their safety. From design to materials, it can be said that no expense has been spared with YouBike. A great deal of thought has been put into everything from the countoured handlebar grips that fit comfortably into the palm of one’s hand, the intuitive rotary-action bell and the three-speed gears to the highly reliable roller brakes and the sturdy center stand.
As for the bikes’ main components, there is no shortage of well-known Taiwanese companies producing high-quality products. For example, the chains, which cost several times as much as ordinary chains, are made by KMC, the world’s largest maker of this product. Velo, which makes seats for Tesla automobiles, exclusively manufactures the saddles, which emphasize ergonomic design and ventilation. Meanwhile, the tires, made by the major tire manufacturer Kenda, are produced with a customized rubber formula and manufacturing process and come with an added reflective strip on the sidewalls.
The production cost of each YouBike 2.0 bicycle, combining the work of major players in Taiwan’s bicycle industry, is considerable. It would be no exaggeration to call it the Rolls Royce of the bikeshare world.
Frank Su says that no expense has been spared in the design and manufacture of YouBike bicycles in order to truly meet riders’ needs.