Sharing Bikes: YouBike

This yellow-branded bike-sharing system operates in almost all cities in Taiwan (excluding offshore islands, Keelung City, Changhua County, Yunlin County, Nantou County, Yilan County, and Hualian County) with thousands of stations. Register through the YouBike app (requiring a local or international credit card) or use your EasyCard at kiosks. When renting a bike, tap to unlock bikes, tap again when returning them to any station.

You can find YouBike stations using the app, which shows real-time availability of bikes and empty parking spaces. During peak commute times, stations near metros and offices empty quickly whilst suburban stations overflow. In this case, you should anticipate needing alternative stations nearby.

Rates start incredibly cheap and work perfectly for short urban journeys, exploring neighbourhoods, or connecting from metros to final destinations. Bikes are city-style with baskets and three-speed internal gear hub. You can find the eletric version YouBike in some cities, they are faster and effortless while a little more expensive. Since there are lots of stations around Taiwan, it is feasible to ride them across cities.

It is worthy to note that Taiwan has gained international recognition for cycling, particularly after completing a comprehensive network of cycle paths. The 1,200-kilometre route circling the island attracts serious cyclists who complete it in 7-14 days, but shorter sections suit recreational riders. You can see different views in different sections. East coast routes between Hualien and Taitung provide stunning ocean views with manageable daily distances. The Sun Moon Lake circuit (30 kilometres) offers gentler riding. Taipei’s riverside paths extend for dozens of kilometres, perfect for half-day excursions. But if you want to cycle around Taiwan, it is still highly recommended to rent proper touring bikes from specialist shops in major cities.

Taiwan’s traffic makes urban cycling slightly challenging. Dedicated bike lanes exist but often share space with scooters / pedestrians or disappear without warning. Cycle defensively, assume vehicles don’t see you, and avoid peak traffic hours. Rural roads generally feel safer with less traffic, though mountain roads include narrow sections with no shoulders.

Weather matters enormously. Summer heat and humidity make cycling exhausting; carry abundant water. Afternoon thunderstorms during summer months can drench you. Winter northeast monsoons make north coast and eastern routes face strong headwinds. We will talk more about the weather in Taiwan in another post.