President wants to make cycling national sport

http://english.rti.org.tw/Content/Ge...ontentID=55798

President Chen Shui-bian proposed on Thursday that the government should
work with the private sector to map out a bicycle path network around
Taiwan to help make cycling a national sport. Chen said that the world
is paying more attention to Earth Day, which falls on April 22, because
global warming has impacted a lot on the environment in recent years. He
also pointed out that bicycles have become a popular means of transport
in many European countries. Although there is an increasing number of
people in Taiwan who ride bicycles to work and enjoy cycling as a
pastime on weekends,
cycling is still not as popular in Taiwan as in Europe, the United
States and Japan, he said.

Eric Vey schrieb:
http://english.rti.org.tw/Content/Ge...ontentID=55798

President Chen Shui-bian proposed on Thursday that the government should
work with the private sector to map out a bicycle path network around
Taiwan to help make cycling a national sport. Chen said that the world
is paying more attention to Earth Day, which falls on April 22, because
global warming has impacted a lot on the environment in recent years. He
also pointed out that bicycles have become a popular means of transport
in many European countries. Although there is an increasing number of
people in Taiwan who ride bicycles to work and enjoy cycling as a
pastime on weekends,
cycling is still not as popular in Taiwan as in Europe, the United
States and Japan, he said.

Well, the government started discouraging cycling last year.

"in addition, the amendment would require that left turns be conducted
in two steps by cyclists riding on roads, that cyclists ride within 1m
of the edge of the road," - that won't make cycling safer.


http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiw.../11/2003373639

Ministry plans to make cyclists put on helmets

STAFF WRITER, WITH CNA
Saturday, Aug 11, 2007, Page 2

In light of the growing number of traffic fatalities involving bicycles,
the Ministry of Transportation and Communications is planning to amend a
road law to require that cyclists wear helmets or face fines.

In a meeting presided over by Minister Tsai Duei (蔡å*†), officials from
the ministry's Road Safety Supervisory Committee said that fatalities
resulting from traffic accidents involving bicycles have been high in
recent years, adding that most fatalities were caused by head injuries.

This has prompted researchers from the ministry's Institute of
Transportation to propose an amendment to the road safety law to require
that cyclists wear safety helmets, the officials said.

In addition, the amendment would require that left turns be conducted in
two steps by cyclists riding on roads, that cyclists ride within 1m of
the edge of the road, and that bicycle makers be required to install
lights and reflecting panels on new bicycles, the officials said.

Ministry officials quoted tallies compiled by the National Police
Administration indicating that between 2003 and last year, traffic
accidents involving bicycles resulted in 664 deaths and 7,131 injuries.
Of the 664 killed, 483 -- or 72 percent -- died after being hit by a
vehicle and falling.

Last year alone, 183 cyclists died in traffic accidents, with 118 of the
deceased having died of head injuries, the officials said.

Researchers from the ministry's Institute of Transportation are expected
to present a draft amendment to the road safety law by the end of this
year with stricter safety regulations for cyclists, including the
required wearing of helmets.
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Eric Vey schrieb:

President Chen Shui-bian

How do I address a foreign president in a letter? "Excellency,"?

Jens Müller wrote:
Eric Vey schrieb:

President Chen Shui-bian

How do I address a foreign president in a letter? "Excellency,"?

Waste of time. He is a lame duck.
http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/new...olitics_TAIWAN

or

http://tinyurl.com/65e8o7

Jens Müller wrote:
Eric Vey schrieb:
http://english.rti.org.tw/Content/Ge...ontentID=55798

President Chen Shui-bian proposed on Thursday that the government
should work with the private sector to map out a bicycle path network
around Taiwan to help make cycling a national sport. Chen said that
the world is paying more attention to Earth Day, which falls on April
22, because global warming has impacted a lot on the environment in
recent years. He also pointed out that bicycles have become a popular
means of transport in many European countries. Although there is an
increasing number of people in Taiwan who ride bicycles to work and
enjoy cycling as a pastime on weekends,
cycling is still not as popular in Taiwan as in Europe, the United
States and Japan, he said.

Well, the government started discouraging cycling last year.

"in addition, the amendment would require that left turns be conducted
in two steps by cyclists riding on roads, that cyclists ride within 1m
of the edge of the road," - that won't make cycling safer.


http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiw.../11/2003373639

Ministry plans to make cyclists put on helmets
[article snipped]

Silly, since every credible population study has shown no benefit in
reducing serious head injuries and death by requiring cyclists to wear
foam hats.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful

Eric Vey schrieb:
Jens Müller wrote:
Eric Vey schrieb:

President Chen Shui-bian

How do I address a foreign president in a letter? "Excellency,"?

Waste of time. He is a lame duck.

Ah, yes, he's still the old one ... Well, I told them to forward my
statement to the Ministry if if falls outside the scope of the duties
and responsibilities of the President ...