Grate Expectation: A Cyclist Pleads His Case For Safer Streets

I came across this article (zh) posted by a Taiwanese cyclist who has undergone a series of operations to repar the collarbone he broke while trying to escape one of the recent rain squalls that have been plaguing cyclists on Taiwan over the past two months.

In essence, the author ducked into a gas station and lost his grip on one of the steel grates surrounding the station.

The EPA requires all gas stations to be ringed by special collection gutters to prevent polluted runoff from entering the storm drain.

The author believes the gas have made a minimal effort in the installation of these units, which has resulted in a hazardous situation for two wheeled vehicles. (apparently, bikes and scooters wipe out on these all the time).

Ride Safe!

So far the government has done little about improving the safety around gas stations. Therefore, the next time I need to pass a gas station or drop in for a little relief, I will be sure to avoid the steel grating and steel drain caps. It is pretty much common sense to avoid metal plates in the road, but I guess things could be made a bit safer.

Helmet Recall: The Cost Of Safety

Several news outlets (English, Chinese) have been reporting on the recent factory recall of helmets manufactured by GiD.

In an effort of unprecedented cooperation between consumer groups and Taiwan's Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), some of the helmets produced and/or sold in Taiwan were subjected to a battery of tests to determine their ability to protect the user and operate in a safe manner.

Of the 10 helmets that were scrutinized by the BSMI, only the GiD branded model from Shang Yang Industrial failed the testing with a broken chinstrap.

Shang Yang's website claims:

ROAR bicycle helmets are tested and certified to meet or exceed the Euro- CE and US CPSC Safety Standards. By using the most advanced production technology and combination of modern designs, ROAR Helmets makes the most competitive and superior quality helmets in the industry. ROAR designer helmets for children are safe, high quality, uniquely designed and set it apart from most children helmets on the streets today.

It further troubles me that the recall has yet to be posted on their website as you might expect during a safety recall.

The GiD recall raises an important issue for consumers in Taiwan-- How do we know we are safe?

I have wrestled with this problem in my own purchasing and opted to order my helmet online from the Unite States rather than face the uncertainty of the Taiwan marketplace.

All bicycle helmets sold in the United States must pass a rigorous testing process overseen by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (C.P.S.C.). Imported helmets from the United States should have a C.P.S.C. mark or label inside the helmet. No matter how light or heavy, they all meet the same standard.

I feel less safe in Taiwan when buying helmets, and this is largely due to the lack of regular testing, and the greater availability of counterfeit products from China. Both issues raise red flags for me as a rider as I need to be confident that I am doing the best I can to come out of a crash with my wits about me.

My next helmet was a Bell that I bought while visiting the USA. Maybe I am being paranoid, but with a helmet, I need to be sure.

編號1號"GiD/57~60cm/609"、FAIL

編號2號"Asia/55.5~58.5cm/A-302"、

編號3號"GIANT/55.5~58.5cm/CS-3000M"、

編號4號"MERIDA/58.5cm以上/CS-1700L"、

編號5號"XTR/58~62cm"、

編號6號"隆輝/58~61cm"、

編號7號"堇椿/M55~58cm"、

編號8號"FUNDER/S51~54cm M55~58cm"、

編號9號"SHORPion/54~58cm"、

編號10號"BELL/58~65cm"

The Spark of an Integrated Cycling Network?

The Taiwan News reports that the government is working on creating an "intelligent system" (yes... I know... government and intelligent system) for managing "cycling convoys".

First, I have to say that I am thrilled they chose the term "convoy". It brings back the old, inspiring C.W. McColl tune (Yes, this is in my ipod for biking).

The system, consisting of a global positioning system (GPS) and online map technologies, automatically issues a warning to the leader of a bike convoy equipped with smartphones when any member of the group lags far behind, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said in a recent statement.

"When you get lost or have a flat tire, all you have to do is to press a button and you can immediately inform others of your situation," the ministry said.

The system is aimed not just at enhancing the safety of cyclists but also to help them share their fun, according to the ministry.

"Bikers can use a feature to share photos or videos with their family members to show where they are and what they have seen along the trip," the statement said.

What the article does not tell us is: Who is eligible to use the service? How does one apply for access the service? Can be used by non-Mandarin speakers to accommodate foreign visitors.

It sounds proactive and intriguing, but so do unicorns. It also sounds a lot like something that can be achieved with existing cell-phone technology. If I get a flat I can call the leader. If I want to share photos I can capture and send. Most modern cell-phones have GPS and mapping applications. Hmmmm!

Night Rider

Since I have been discussing safety I thought I should post something about the dumbest, most dangerous ride I do. It is also my favorite.

Like most people I don't have enough time in my life to ride. The cycling understatement of the year. SO I need to get saddle time where I can find it.

Two or three nights a week I do my evening hill loop. It is a 14mi. (22.5km.) loop from Taichung City to the Tunghai market and back. I started doing this during the summer because it was cooler and I could better exert myself without worrying about offending my coworkers with anything worse that my humor.

The loop starts out in Nantun and I take Wu Chuan W. Rd. all the way to the Circle K on the hill by the industrial park. From there I cut right and take the Gong Ye #22 Rd. to Gong Ye 1st Rd. It makes a nice, steady climb to the back door of the Tunghai Market. I cut through the market and dodge people and traffic, before I cross Chung Gang Rd. to the International Street. I hammer my way to the top and then come down the hill at 40mph (64kph) to Xitun Rd. Xi tun is packed with traffic and it is a battle all the way through. I take it as fast as I can go before I join up with Wen xin Rd. and sprint home. On Wen xin I can usually reach speeds between 30 to 35mph (48-56kph). I also do this listening to an ipod. Eh! Sometimes while climbing as fast as I can, a little Steve Perry makes all the difference. So... yeah! Stupid, dangerous and a lot of fun. So far it takes 43min. to complete. Still, I don't take unnecessary chances. If I don't beat my time I don't beat my time.

Wish You All Safe Riding

I heard from a friend in Taipei that he and another rider were out when a cat ran out in front of them and the other rider went over the bars. The poor guy was taken away in an ambulance and last I heard was awaiting surgery on a broken wrist and other fractures. The guy will be off the bike for some time, which, as any cyclist knows, makes the pain hurt all the more. When we take on cycling as a part of our identities we become members of a much larger community. Although I have never met the injured cyclist, I feel for him and wish him all the best and a quick recovery. That just sucks!

Anyone who has spent more than a little transit time in the Taipei-Taoyuan International Airport will know that Taiwan's traffic pretty much sucks. Every driver on the road drives like a complete selfish asshole with no exceptions... they are guilty by default. When I drive I am probably an asshole too. It is a fact of life here.

Taiwan has one of the world's highest vehicle mortality rates in the world, possibly the highest, with double the number of traffic related deaths than in the United States. Between 50% and 80% of all accidents are motor vehicle related depending on the year (Selya, 2004).

"What is especially disturbing about accidents in Taiwan is that common sense policies and practices if but implemented could lead to a radical decrease in in both the number of accidents and the accident related mortality."-- Roger Mark Selya

I recently read through the entire driving manuel and it can be divided by category in descending order based on the question frequency as follows:

a) Easy Common Sense (Example: You should obey the traffic laws.)

b) Social Morality ( Example: If you are in a hurry you should not honk and yell at other drivers.)

c) Morality for Truck and Taxi Drivers (Example: If you hear passengers discussing a drug deal you should show love for your country and take them to a police station.)

d) Punishment and Fines (Example: Talking on the Handy Cell Phone when driving is a NT3000 fine.)

e) Safety (Example: You should stop at a stop light.)

I am often under the impression that the entire driver's education program is really not designed to promote good, safe driving, but rather to get students to pass the examination. There is an entire industry related to this and the approach is the same for any examination in Taiwan. Cram cram cram. I have run into cases where the police didn't even know the traffic laws and it cost me NT2000.

As cyclists, we are used to being low on the food chain and must adapt to survive. A few things I do to stay alive on the road:

1) Ride on the far left of the right lane. You can be seen by drivers and when they DO (and they will) blindly speed out of side streets. You also have room to move to the median between lanes.

2) If the light is green and has been green for some time... do not assume it is safe to continue through the intersection without slowing down. I have a regular descent I take at 40mph (64kph) and there is an intersection near the bottom. There are several times I would have been killed if I had gone through at full speed. Even though it takes away from the ride, I'd rather slow and crank back up to speed than die.

3) Assume everyone on the road will do the dumbest thing possible at any given time. Oh what I've seen....

4) Ride like you belong in the road. People often treat you just like a scooter (maybe a little better) and so they have no problem cutting you off or passing inches from you without realizing the danger. If you ride like you belong there you can negotiate a little more space.

5) When stopping at a red light, slow down, check your rear and stop in the scooter box at the front of the stop. In Taiwan people like to catch yellow lights... after they've turned red and often speed up to the intersection and can't always stop or assume you are going to run it too. Cars also use the opportunity to take fast right turns. before the traffic starts. I've seen a few rear-enders form this.

6) Be careful running "safe" red lights. I know lots of cyclists like to blow through lights if it seems safe because winding back up all the time can take a lot out of you. It is just that there are a lot of surprises and I know a few people who have gotten clipped doing this. Just... careful doing it.

7) Keep an eye on the betel nut stands... dangerous for the obvious reason, but also watch for drivers who just got their fix and are preoccupied with their craw full of betel.

8) Give busses the right of way. They will often quickly swing right if they see a passenger. I was forced into a parked car when a bus came from behind and swung right.

9) Be careful who you yell at. Since most cyclists don't have a horn (If you do send me pics.) The voice becomes the best tool to warn people or ... ahem!... let them know they've just done something stupidly dangerous and potentially life threatening. Still, taxi drivers are going to drive like that and nobody is going to stop them. They have radios and a dozen friends with metal pipes and bats under their seats... all at a moment's notice. Don't piss 'em off.

10) Unless you are a novice or slow cyclist, avoid bike trails and markets. Just don't go there.

And sometimes there is nothing you can do, like when a cat jumps out of the bushes.

I would just like to wish everyone safe cycling.

Get well soon Lucas! I don't even know you, but I understand.

1) Selya, Roger Marc.2004.Development and Demographic Change in Taiwan 1945-1995., p.p. 256-257.London. World Scientific Publishing Co. Ltd.