Discover Formosa - Beautiful Island

As you walk or cycle through the streets of Taiwan today, you might frequently sense the pressure of being pushed aside. In 2022, reports indicated that more than 375,000 traffic accidents took place throughout the island, leading to nearly 2,000 fatalities among scooter riders and around 394 pedestrian deaths. These figures highlight the significant dangers linked to walking. In 2024 alone, nearly three thousand individuals lost their lives in traffic incidents.

Designated sidewalks often find themselves compromised. In many cities across Taiwan, sidewalks are always blocked. Scooters frequently occupy the entire width of sidewalks or spill into pedestrian crossings. Additionally, makeshift storefronts and vendor stalls further crowd the walkways, with many shop owners expanding their displays directly onto pedestrian paths using racks, boxes, or signs. This forces pedestrians off the sidewalks to dodge parked scooters or merchandise, and they often find themselves walking on the road. Cyclists encounter parallel issues where bike lanes may exist but are often abruptly interrupted or obstructed, compelling them to merge into mixed traffic. Safety becomes a significant concern, particularly at night or during busy traffic hours.

Policing resources are stretched thin, and despite their enforcement efforts, it remains impossible to monitor the multitude of scooters and cars on sidewalks and roads. Ultimately, the responsibility rests on scooter users to be considerate of others, though that can often be easier said than done. It's a classic case of doing to other what you do not want do to you.

The Greater Taipei area alone boasts over 3.2 million registered scooters, accounting for nearly 85% of traffic-related injuries and fatalities within the region. This high density makes a substantial difference. In contrast, countries like Japan and Singapore showcase how enforcement can change the landscape. For instance, after Singapore implemented regulations banning e-scooters and e-bikes from footpaths, violations decreased considerably, from over 8,000 to around 5,200. In Japan, many cities enforce strict parking regulations, leading to more protected sidewalks. Even smaller cities maintain clear policies against encroachment by vehicles or vendors, ensuring that pavements are respected. Singapore has codified pedestrian safety regulations through measures like the Active Mobility Act, with regular enforcement that results in fines for illegal parking and sidewalk obstructions. This cultural and regulatory framework helps keep pedestrian areas clearer.

Navigating Taiwan feels like an obstacle course, with visibility obstructed, uneven pathways, and heightened safety risks, particularly during early morning or evening hours. Crossing streets becomes hazardous when scooter traffic fails to yield. While rules exist to protect pedestrians, both enforcement and design often fall short. The numbers are alarming: in the first quarter of 2024, there was a 15.5% increase in pedestrian fatalities compared to the same period the previous year.

For those who walk regularly in Taiwan, it becomes evident that scooters, vendors, parked vehicles, and blocked sidewalks is a huge maze of obstacles that pose genuine daily safety issues for foreigners from countries not accustomed to such a situation.

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