World Bicycle Day: Taiwan emerges as global model for bike mobility

Today is World Bicycle Day. Bicycles once ruled roads and were the principal means of transportation in the 19th and 20th centuries in many regions across the world.

However, in the world of cars, flights and smartphones in the 21st century, humans became increasingly dependent on convenience, and bicycles were largely overlooked.

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But the pedal-driven, single-track vehicle is once again being re-centred as a powerful tool of sustainable transportation and Taiwan is leading the way.

Nowhere is cycling’s transformation more visible than in Taiwan, where it has evolved from a recreational activity into a key part of national sustainability and tourism strategy.

Home to Giant Bicycles, the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer, Taiwan has built an extensive cycling ecosystem that includes dedicated cycling highways, bike-sharing networks, and cyclist-friendly urban planning.

At the heart of this system is Taiwan Cycling Route No. 1, a 960.8-kilometre loop that circles the island, passing through 16 cities and counties.

The route connects coastal highways, rural landscapes, and mountain regions, with riders typically completing the journey in 9 to 15 days.

Tourism-focused cycling routes have also gained global recognition. Sun Moon Lake, with its scenic 30-kilometre bikeway, is widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful cycling destinations. In Taipei, over 100 kilometres of riverside cycling paths connect seamlessly with the metro system, supported by the widely used YouBike sharing network.

On the eastern coast between Hualien and Taitung, cyclists ride along quiet roads framed by cliffs, rice fields, and indigenous settlements, offering one of Asia’s most scenic long-distance cycling experiences.

For elite athletes, the Taiwan KOM Challenge presents one of the toughest climbs in the region, rising from sea level to over 3,000 metres through mountainous terrain.

Behind these developments lies a broader environmental strategy, with cycling integrated into Taiwan’s long-term net-zero goals and sustainable transport planning.

As cities around the world mark World Bicycle Day with community rides and awareness campaigns, Taiwan’s model is increasingly cited as an example of what is possible when cycling is treated not as an optional activity, but as essential infrastructure.

Costing less than many modern gadgets, producing zero emissions, and requiring no fuel, the bicycle remains one of the most efficient forms of human transport ever created.

Yet for decades, it has often been treated as a secondary mode of travel rather than a core part of transport planning.

Observed every June 3, “World Bicycle Day” this year carries the theme “Cycling for a Greener Future”, highlighting the urgent need to cut transport-related emissions, which account for nearly a quarter of global carbon output.

Advocates argue that cycling is not a nostalgic return to the past, but a practical solution for the future. Today, an estimated one billion bicycles are in use worldwide, nearly double the number of cars.

In countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark, cycling accounts for more than 25% of daily trips, while cities including Bogotá and Nairobi have expanded cycling infrastructure to reduce congestion and improve public health.

Health experts also continue to highlight cycling’s benefits, linking regular use to improved cardiovascular health, better mental well-being, and reduced obesity risk. The World Health Organization has repeatedly identified physical inactivity as a major global health concern, with cycling seen as one of the most accessible solutions.

(With inputs from UNI.)