Spinning Wheels: Explore Taipei with YouBike(b)|悠游台北的微笑单车

　　The YouBike program is a great step towards a cleaner environment, but Taipei still faces two key challenges──the implementation of green transportation and the achievement of harmony on the roads. The city government and Giant are addressing the problem with a strategy that focuses first on getting bicycles onto the streets and then improving the traffic situation. As they expand their cycling-related plans, they hope gradually to change the habits of other road users. In addition, to promote transportation that does not contribute to carbon emissions, the Environmental Protection Administration has allocated NT$18 million from the air pollution fund to enable YouBike to continue to offer riders the first 30 minutes for free through the end of 2013.

　　However, Taipei's many motorcycles and intricate roadways have complicated the promotion of cycling in the city, and increasing the number of bicycles will inevitably mean greater competition for space on the city's streets. Moving forward, the city plans to address the rights of cyclists on the road. As construction wraps up on the Xinyi Road and Nanjing East Road MRT lines, Taipei will build dedicated bicycle lanes, signals, and signage along these key thoroughfares to help make cycling safer. It is also planning changes along older, narrower streets that lack the space for bike lanes. Taipei will present the world with a fresh new face in 2013 that includes an even more extensive MRT system, less construction on its streets, more bicycles, fewer motorized vehicles, more electric buses, and more pedestrian-friendly spaces. These efforts are sure to provide citizens with cleaner air and a more pleasant living environment, further encouraging more and more people to whip out their EasyCards and give YouBikes a spin.

　　YouBike 微笑单车服务是迈向环境更清洁很重要的一步，但台北市仍要面临两项关键的挑战──推行绿色运输工具以及友善的交通环境。台北市政府及捷安特公司携手合作，用以处理这个问题的策略首先得着重于让单车上路，然后改善交通状况。市府扩大单车相关的规划时，他们期望让路人的习惯慢慢开始改变。此外，环保署为了支持推广低碳运输，还特别提拨一千八百万元的空污基金，让 YouBike 前三十分钟免费的优惠措施可以持续到 2013 年底。

　　然而，台北市因摩托车数量多，道路错综复杂，在推广市区内骑单车的过程中，遭遇不少问题，而与日俱增的单车数量难免意味着在道路应用空间上竞争会愈来愈激烈。展望未来，市府计划着重于单车骑士的路权。随着信义路及南京东路的捷运工程陆续完工，台北会沿着这些主要交通要道加设自行车专用车道、号志与路线指引，以维护自行车骑士的安全。同时也计划变更较老旧、狭窄且缺乏自行车道的街区。2013 年的台北市将以一种焕然一新的面貌呈现在世人面前，这甚至包含了更完善的捷运系统、更少的道路工程、更多的自行车、更少的汽机车、更多的电动公交车及更多便于行走的空间。这些努力将提供市民更干净的空气和更愉快的居住环境，进一步鼓励民众掏出悠游卡，骑着 YouBike 微笑出门去。

 

本社为尊重《台湾光华杂志》，中文原文注销，仅供参考，中英文如有不尽相符之处，敬请包涵。