The Absurd Bike Policy At World Gym--Taichung (My Beef)

World Gym's solution to bike parking after a year of reflection

My first job in Taiwan was working for a media company that worked mainly for the Taiwanese machine tool sector. We would make websites, catalogues, CD-ROMs and attend trade shows on behalf of the industry.

When I was brought on board my task was simple: To identify why our clients where dropping off the search engines and come up with a solution. I did just that. I discovered that our crack team of web designers was making inefficient websites that would not be effective for internet promotion and our clients would suffer. I drew up a 10 part solution that, unfortunately, meant that we would have to redesign each page for efficiency and staying power on the web.

In the mean time, my supervisor was busy collecting all the different sites a webmaster could use to submit a URL (this is back in 1998/1999) when that was real important. The guy had compiled a list of 140 websites where you could submit URLs. These sites included, along with Google, Yahoo, AltaVista, small sites like Susan's Puppy Pages, Porno Pages, Dom's URL Engine... etc.

We met for a big meeting with the boss to discuss this serious matter as he had promised our clients that they would be at the top of Yahoo.com when a potential customer ran a search for a particular machine tool. I was first with the presentation and I explained that it might be painful at first, it was a good start to remedy the situation. My supervisor was next and his plan was simple and brilliant... to add a page to our website with all his URL submission links that he'd been doing nothing but gathering for the entire month of March, and then leave it to the client to submit their own URL. If they couldn't find their website on Yahoo... it would be their own problem. Wa ha ha ha ha!!!!!

The boss was delighted.

What does this sad but true tale have to do with bikes and World Gym?

A couple years ago when it was time for me to renew my membership, the gym moved to a new location next to Sogo. The location sucked, there was no more parking, most of the gym was left unused most of the time as it had been converted into a giant, GIANT dance studio. The entrance is on the ground floor and the card check is on the second floor. The men's locker room is on the second floor and the women's is on the 14th floor. The gym is on the second floor completely away from street view.

Before I signed the membership I asked about bike storage. I could foresee myself training on the bike and swinging by while still warmed up for some light weight training and stretching on the mats. My account rep assured me I could safely store the bike inside, so I signed. I was later told I would have to leave the bike outside on the first floor... on the street... sandwiched between the motor scooters. I thought it was no way to promote fitness and periodically asked if they had come up with any other solutions. I offered a few of my own and I was promised they'd get back to me on the issue. They never did. I waited and eventually quit going. She never really tried to follow up as promised as she had made her commission.

I went back for the first time in 11 months as biking doesn't quite hit all the spots, and I asked again about the bike situation. Still the same answer, "You must put it outside with the scooters, if we let you bring your bike in then everyone will bring their bike in." I suggested racks inside, rentable bike boxes, and they assured me that no bike would ever get stolen and I was even told that some customers bring NT 150,000 bike in and leave them. I called bullshit. I know several people with expensive bikes and any serious rider in Taiwan knows that you don't leave a bike outside for 5 seconds unattended... even if it is locked. It is another case of putting the onus on the customer rather than helping find a suitable solution to a customer's problem. I was told that I am the only customer that has a problem leaving his bike unattended. I figure the rest just don't go to World Gym anymore.

If I want to ride and go to the gym I have to ride to and from work, change, drive to the gym, exercise, eat, go home, change back into biking gear and then ride again.

There should be a solution to this problem if people are willing to work at solving the problem. As it stands, I will not leave my bike there and so I will waste my money because I would rather be riding.

Update:

• My rep promised to call me after she talked to he manager. She never called.
• The manager, Vincent, promised his boss would call me and he never called.
• At no point has anyone ever explained why this is such an unreasonable request.

My Letter To World Gym:

World Gym,

When I signed my current membership contract my Gym rep promised I would be able to bring my road bike inside for safety. I signed and since then I have routinely been told I must leave my bike outside or in other unsecured locations. I have suggested some better alternatives, and I have been promised repeatedly that the gym representatives would get back to me on the matter. It never happened. If I want to train for my cycling races, I can not go to the gym if I have to stop home and drive to the gym, only to drive home, change and ride again.

The weather has been rainy, so I thought I would go in again and see if things had improved. They had not. When I asked my rep, she said she would phone me. She never did. I brought the issue up to the manager, Mr. Vincent Chen, and he promised I would be contacted by an individual who had the power to change policy. I have not been contacted.

I feel a solution could be inexpensive, easy and beneficial to everyone.

The Issue:

In recent years the number of cyclists in Taiwan has seen a rapid increase. Between 2007 and 2008 the number of recreational cyclists doubled to 360,000 riders and the number has been steadily increasing since with the only decline seen in folding bikes. With the highest concentration of bicycle manufacturers and OEM/ODMs led by Giant Manufacturing, Taiwanese have taken a real sense of pride in cycling and incorporated the sport into Taiwan's national identity. The success of the hit movie Island Etude clearly demonstrates the Taiwanese love affair with the bicycle.

Unfortunately, for active, athletic people who cycle for recreation or competition, if we want to incorporate a workout at World Gym into our schedule, we have to either drive or leave our bicycles left in unsecured areas. It is no secret that bike theft in Taiwan is rampant with most Taiwanese children having had a bicycle stolen at some point or another in life. With the more sophisticated bicycles there have even been cases of entire crime rings devoted to bicycle theft. It is widely known among riders that you do not leave your bicycle in a location that is not secure; locked or not. Especially in a high traffic area like Sogo. Furthermore, with the high number of people entering and leaving the area, the possibility of damage increases significantly.

People who cycle are active and athletic people, the kind of people who join gyms and especially spinning classes. A proactive cycling policy could attract and retain membership rather than reduce the number of potential users.

A proactive cycling policy can reinforce the ideals of good health and better integrate and maintain a lifestyle that leads to sustained health and fitness resulting in renewed memberships rather than forcing customers to choose between activities.

A proactive cycling policy would fit with current trends in cycling infrastructure planned by the central government under a new set of "green initiatives" promoted by special presidential advisor and Chairman of Giant Manufacturing, King Liu. This plan seeks to increase the number of bicycle friendly services to and promote alternative forms of transportation that do not rely on fossil fuels. By the end of the year all trains and many busses will be equipped for bicycle transport.

Concerns:

It has been expressed to me by Manager Vincent Chen that if customers were allowed to bring bicycles into the gym, then everyone would bring their bikes in and it would be chaos.

I understand his concerns, but I feel these concerns are misplaced fears that are not rooted in reality. World Gym may have many active riders, but not everyone goes to the gym at the same time. A more realistic estimate might be no more that eight bicycles at the gym at any one time. These fears could be further put to rest by charging a small fee for storage. A fee would reduce the likelihood of rusty and dirty bicycles taking up space in the gym. Mr. Chen then made the comparison with scooters and cars. I do not feel this analogous to bicycles as bicycles can be pieces of exercise equipment and not simply transportation vehicles. Cars and scooters have ignition keys and serial numbers to deter theft and bicycles do not. There are parking spaces allotted for scooter and automobile use, but not bicycle use. The street is simply not a safe or secure option for cycling gear.

There have been concerns regarding the limited space available in the gym.

I agree the gym has limited space. I also feel there is a lot of wasted space at the moment. Furthermore, a system of wall mounted racks would place the bikes up and out of the way, within the safety of the gym.

Cost may be another motivating factor behind the current policy. Bicycle storage is expensive and only serves a few members of the gym.

First, I do not think a solution has to be expensive. A set of wall mounted bike racks can cost as little as NT 1000 each. If the World Gym purchased 10 wall mounts and charged for their use, the cost would be easily mitigated. Not everyone uses the bench for leg extensions, but it is available for those who choose to use it. The same could be said for bike racks.

I was further told that I was the only customer with a problem.

I think this may be accurate, but I know for a fact that there are others who share my feelings and that is why they have discontinued their memberships.

Since I have found the staff at the World Gym unable or unwilling to discuss this issue in a creative or constructive way, I have publicized this situation among members of the cycling and athletic community. The reaction has been a mix of dismay at the unrealistic policy and disinterest by World Gym staff, and interest in allowing a secure space for bicycles in World Gym. These athletes have expressed interest in the facilities, but are turned off by the negative response I have received.

I wish I could promote your facilities to my network of active people, but that can not happen until we can work together in creating a better policy toward bicycles.

I am looking forward to working with the World Gym to resolve this issue in a positive and constructive manner that serves to benefit all parties and I am looking forward to your response.

Yours!

Andrew D. Kerslake

Blog Post: http://taiwanincycles.blogspot.com/2010/06/absurd-bike-policy-at-world-gym.html

King Liu in Amsterdam: Green World on Wheels!

The 76 year-old Giant Bicycle founder, King Liu, has commenced his tour of the Netherlands with the stated purpose to discover why 27% of the citizens in the Netherlands use bicycles for transportation.

Taiwan Focus Reports:

On the six-day trip, dubbed "Green World on Wheels, " the group will ride a 500-kilometer route to look at the cycling infrastructure of the Netherlands, which is known as a "cycling paradise." The riders will also study ways in which Taiwan can improve its cycling environment, said King Liu, 76, who is president of Giant Manufacturing and ycling environment, said King Liu, 76, who is president of Giant Manufacturing and chairman of the Giant Global group, the world's largest bicycle manufacturer.

I think Green World is quite an appropriate name for this junket as these guys must be high if they realistically think Taiwan's government is prepared and willing to bankroll the massive societal overhaul necessary to have Taiwan emulate the Netherlands. Taiwan first needs the police force to shift from an amateurish and corrupt civil force into a real law enforcement body. This means that Police would have to become active in upholding and enforcing and applying the law evenly, rather than passively waiting for an assignment which calls for them to enforce. How many times have we seen police stand idly by as a law is broken before their eyes and they don't flinch because it is not their assignment? This is really the first step. For most people, the roads are too dangerous to become regular commuters and the bicycle infrastructure is insufficient and even dangerous. Furthermore, Taiwan's government can talk as "Green" as it wants, but currently the central government has several industrial projects in the works that threaten some valuable ecosystems. Many of these projects are aimed at wooing Chinese business. Until these hard choices are made, Taiwan is not ready to put its money where its mouth is.

Enjoy your trip to Amsterdam! Everyone loves a vacation in the name of "research".

Be sure to check the follow-up in the Comments

A New Revenue Stream: Taipei To Impound Bikes

The Taiwan News reports that Taipei City is planning to impound illegally parked bicycles.

The unprecedented measures will first be implemented near the Technology Building Station of the Mass Rapid Transit system and if all goes smoothly, will be expanded to bicycles illegally parked around the Gongguan, National Taiwan University Hospital and Taipei City Hall stations before eventually covering the whole city, according to the traffic police

.

It remains to be seen how the city plans to return bikes to the owners once the fine has been paid... seeing as they have not begun to issue bicycle licenses and so many bikes look the same. The process sounds like it is destined to become a major headache for everyone. It is also unclear where the revenue generated from bicycle impounds will go.

CENTRAL CROSS ISLAND INVITE: 6/19

Usually the last two weeks of June and the first two weeks of July mark the end of the plum rains and the beginning of typhoon season. There is usually a two or three week gap of clear weather for riding and we plan on taking advantage of the opportunity.

If you are an active rider with some experience with distance and wide gearing, I would like to invite you to join us on another Cross Island Adventure. Climb to the top of Taiwan in two days of riding with a great bunch of people. I love this ride.

The scenery is spectacular and is even more amazing from the saddle of a bicycle. The challenge is worth every minute.

9/19: We will be leaving Hualien on Saturday at 5:00am and riding 80km to stay up on the mountain at a hostel near the road to Lishan.

9/20: We will ascend to Wuling Peak and descend to Puli. Some riders will continue to Taichung and others will take the train out of Jiji or Shuili.

Please contact me for details

Here is the route

ECFA, Bikes, and the Mythology of the Chinese Toothbrush

Gift Horse

For well over a decade the news media, foreign business communities, Chambers of Commerce and governments from the local to the federal levels, have been whipping themselves into a lather over the potential of the elusive "China Market". The analogy has been put to me many a time by Taiwanese and expat business types alike, that if I could sell a toothbrush to every Chinese... blah, blah, blah.... And Oh, how we just need to use the power of our superior system to make them come around to "our way" of doing things. All these guys are standing around with blue-balls over the elusive China market and can't seem to get any play despite the promises.

Here is the rosy picture being promoted by the Chinese side of things for the Taiwanese bicycle industry out of CIIP.COM:

According to reports from Taiwan media, appreciating the huge potential of the mainland market after the signing of the ECFA, Taiwan Giant Global Group plans to strengthen the capability and competitiveness of the mainland headquarters this year by launching a new investment plan to invest an initial RMB 1.16 billion for the establishment of the Bicycle Industrial Park in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province.

Reports disclosed that with the expansion of the market, Giant Global Group will increase its investment to raise its market share in the mainland bicycle market. Based on its original SUV brand GIANT, the Group will vigorously develop a new brand MOMENTUM to raise the market share of passenger vehicles. The medium-priced brand will be aggressively promoted through about 2,000 distribution channels.

Giant Global Group plans to increase its investment to build a bicycle plant in Kunshan, which has gained great support from the mayor of Kunshan Guan Aiguo. The 40-hectare new plant will consist of plants for bicycles, frames, carbon fiber and electrical vehicles. Besides, the cycle track & bicycle theme park plan will also be pushed forward. The investment in the initial stage amounts to USD 36 million (NTD 1.16 billion).

Sources revealed Giant Global Group currently possesses a bicycle plant in Kunshan with an annual output of 2.5 million. As the Group's largest manufacturing base in the mainland, the plant boasts about 50% of the products meeting the domestic market demands. After being put into operation, the new plant will meet the market demands for both GIANT and MOMENTUM and the plant will trade with Taiwan bicycle plants after the signing of ECFA.

Of course, the latest negotiations on the "early harvest list" have broken down and all these grand plans the benefit China, a few wealthy industrialists and a few connected politicians are still up in the air. Moreover, the promise of greater capital outflows to China is stalled so Taiwanese will have to keep showing up for work to receive the same salary they received 10 years ago despite rising inflation. Michael Turton has a wonderful analysis on the matter on his blog here.

In the 1960s the KMT government was desperately seeking foreign investors in the burgeoning electronics sector and all but killed off Taiwanese textiles and footwear in the process. Taiwanese recovered from the early waves of capital outflow and the replacement of traditional industries. Much of this resilience was based upon the small to medium sized enterprise and the the ability to exploit local relationship networks.

Still, politics has never been too far from the agenda. In Ian Skoggard's excellent book, The Indigenous Dynamic in Taiwan's Postwar Development: The Religious and Historical Roots of Entrepreneurship, one Taipei based informant declares in a manner we often hear from ideologues on both sides of the Taiwan Strait:

The U.S. doesn't care about the appreciation of the NT dollar. They just want their price.They don't care if we are starving. The U.S. market is getting very cruel. We are such a small country. We are being mistreated by the U.S. No matter how rich we are, we are still Taiwan and not the R.O.C. The U.S. forces us to take their farm products when we have everything here we need, and our farmers complain. Maybe some day when we go back to China, we'll stand on level ground to talk. p. 123

The myth that Taiwan is too small was dispelled in the 1990's, when Taiwan, while allowing investment in China, also sought to diversify its centers of production by courting Southeast Asian nations as well. This also coincided with Lee Teng-hui's Taiwan-centered economic framework that sought negotiations from a position of strength than the more conciliatory approach of demure weakness. That approach is gone in the name of unbalanced, unchecked, economic and political annexation by China.

It should be important to note that Giant Founder, King Liu, is currently working for the Ma Administration as a consultant for transportation, tourism and the economy. No doubt there is a pretty penny in it for him.

This wouldn't be the first time government economic schemes have resulted in major outflow of capital from Taiwan, but it would be the first economic project where the economic benefit and the interests of the Taiwanese people have been placed on the back burner for politics and ideology.

The bicycle industry is a major part of Taiwan's economy and national identity... and not to forget JOBS... and needs to be promoted and protected at home.

All of this comes hot on the heels of recent Ministry of Economic Affairs moves to quietly bring Taiwanese firms back home. The great pancea of the "China Market" to heal Taiwan's economic woes is proving to be elusive as a reality. So while ECFA is being trumpeted as an economic necessity, China is proving to be a sour investment for many at the cost of quality, safety, security, and jobs.

Jure de Force

Jure Robic, the man who logged a 518 mile day to hallucinations of angry wolves and Mujahideen fighters, is back again to compete in the 2010 Ride Across America (RAAM). Robic has set a blistering pace, averaging 18.84mph. Although this may sound like a recovery ride, the average speed is measured by calculating time resting, eating, sleeping and hallucinating on the side of the road. Robic is hoping to break the average speed record of 15.4 mph. The race begins in Oceanside, California and finishes in Annapolis, Maryland, covering over 3000 miles of America... and most places in the USA aren't all that.

Loving The Winners : Best Bike Blogs

Darryl at Loving The Bike has announced his list of winners for the Best Cycling Blogs IN THE WORLD!!!!!

His CRANK Directory is full of bike blogs divided by category and by region. I hope everyone can swing by and visit his site and use his directory to expand the cycling universe.