A Rush and a Push: Taiwan's Push-Bike Bonanza

As the high holy days of Taiwanese cycling begin ramping up with the first glint of Fall, cycling events seem stacked one upon the next.

A few weeks ago it was my daughter's turn to throw herself into the fray with a balance bike race organized by Charming Arts, a manufacturer of wooden balance bikes.

For my daughter's first birthday she got an Early Rider balance bike and she has been regularly speeding around on it since she was about 17 months old. Now as a confident three-year-old she is fearless on two wheels.

I will try to keep my natural wordiness to a minimum and simply let the pictures do most of the talking. Though, as a parent and a cyclist, I would say, the balance bike is one bike where the lightness of the bike is most advantageous. You're always going to end up carrying the damned thing, and some of 'em weigh a ton.

Enjoy the pics!


The (AWARD WINNING AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED!!!!)Sun Moon Lake bike trail was the venue, which gave me ample opportunity to think about the trail design and its hype.


Kids rolled about and sparred with one another on the pavement.


Always a nice assortment of bikes and styles.




I love seeing the real little ones out on two wheels.


Each kid was so proud to show off the bike bling.


Personally, my favorite part was in looking at how the riders personalized their rides with stickers and other childhood artifacts of individual expression.


Some were hilarious and absurd.


Others were more socially conscious. These guys must be the Unitarians.


Sadly, the event was marred by the all too common displays of ethnic stereotyping in having the event staff running around in pseudo indigenous costume. Several of the stations along the ride route were exploitative attempts to play Aborigine.


The lamb needed to get out for a spin.


The event marched a few kilometers down the narrow bike trail, which made a pleasant spot for a slow stroll.


There were various stations along the way where the riders could perform a certain task.
In this one below the children could pretend to be "Aborigine royalty" with spears and tomahawks.


On the up-side, it was great to see so many kids outside doing something under their own power.