Commuting by Bike in Taipei

I haven't written anything in weeks. During those blog-free (this is unfortunately synonymous to "work-heavy") weeks, I managed to finally get the blue Giant M3 I've always wanted.

Spring was coming, so I really had to have my own bike. I went to the bike store ready to make the bike purchase, but they didn't have the blue one. I was tempted to get a nice red M1, which cost NT$6,000 more. To those thinking of getting the M1, don't hold back. The difference is worth the better brakes, shifters, derailleurs, seat, etc. I stayed with the M3 because I wanted to stick to my budget. I still fancy the M1, but I have no regrets getting the M3, even though I had to wait a few days before I could get the blue one shown here.

I've been commuting almost daily (not when it's raining or when I'm running late for an early meeting) for around three weeks now. I'm actually having a blast and look forward to riding everyday. Not everything about the commute is perfect though.

Biker safety
Taipei is probably friendlier to bikers than many cities around the world, but biking around it is not a walk in the park. The lack of bike lanes and the abundance of buses and taxis make each ride dangerous. I still haven't forced myself to wear a helmet, so my only protection right now is very defensive riding and bright flashing LEDs that keep me visible at night. I will probably get a helmet soon, but I'm pretty convinced that it will offer little protection if I get hit by a car or a bus. I stick to slow lanes or even sidewalks (which can be annoyingly crowded), but I need to learn to signal when turning or changing lanes. Hand signaling feels silly, but I know they're important.

CATEYE bike bling improves visibility

Bad pavement
Taipei has a lot of good roads for cars, but they don't feel that great on a road bike. My rides would probably be better if I got a Giant Boulder, which had front suspension. The bumps have made it really hard for me to enjoy the speed advantage of the M3s road bike heritage.

Few alternative routes
The shortest route to my office actually offers decent air quality and safety. Other routes I've tried are not even close. It just doesn't make sense to take a longer route so I can get smothered with car fumes or see fewer trees. It's funny but I'm worried I may get bored riding through the same places everyday.

Pollution
Taipei air was a great relief for me after living in China for almost three years. I breathed Beijing air during the seven months leading up to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, a time when the ultra-rich Chinese government spared no effort or cash for environmental cleanups. But, in addition to the depressing air quality readings, one could still smell, taste, and see that the air was bad. Unlike Beijing, Taipei air is very decent for a big city. It is a clean city dotted green by parks, surrounded by lush mountains, and dissected by relatively clear rivers.

But bikers know how bad the air can get. Stop at an intersection behind scooters, and you will think that perhaps you're better off inside a crowded bus. You will feel that your lungs are taking in a lot of crap. I will probably get an anti-pollution mask soon, which will look even sillier on me than a helmet, but at least it will help keep the carcinogens off my lungs. Besides, a mask is a strong statement about how badly we need to clean up the planet.

Still there are some good
There are some good things about biking in Taipei though. Like I said, I look forward to riding everyday. I've also ridden a few hours on bike trails, which is a lot of fun. Although very cosmopolitan, Taipei has many interesting hiking and biking trails along its rivers and mountains. I can't wait to enjoy more of the city and the rest of Taiwan on my M3.