Giant Bicycle Kingdom: DOIT to subsidize bike rental and service plan

May 25, 2005

The MOEA Department of Industrial Technology has approved subsidies for the Innovative Bicycle Network Service System Plan a project jointly proposed by Giant Bicycle Co. and Giant Manufacturing Co. This plan aims to boost the production value of bicycle manufacturing and services in Taiwan.

This Giant plan calls for setting up a full-service bicycle rental system by integrating enterprises across such sectors as manufacturing, storage/shipping, travel/tourism, cultural innovation, digital content and bicycle maintenance. One demonstration rental point has already been established near the Taiyuan Train Station in Taichung, and rental points are slated for a minimum of five other locations.

The integration of a wide range of industries is aimed at bringing a higher value to the bicycle industry. The plan anticipates an increase in production value of at least NTD 1 billion annually for the bike sector and related sectors. Also, 500 new jobs per year are expected to be created through the plan.

The DOIT points out that, after years of hard work focused on the development of brand names and high-value products, Taiwan's bicycle industry has succeeded in raising the average price of a Taiwan-made bicycle from USD 109 five years ago to the current price of USD 165.7. The department notes that Taiwan's bicycle industry has avoided the industrial trap of manufactured products becoming less expensive as an industry grows.

The number of bicycle riders in Taiwan continues its rapid rise. Concurrently, the government, based on such considerations as traffic, the environment, health, tourism and recreation, has thrown itself into constructing dedicated bike routes around Taiwan. Reflecting the earnestness of these intentions, the Executive Yuan has even included the National Bicycle Path System Plan in the massive Challenge 2008: National Development Plan. Under this plan, local and regional bike paths are being laid and will ultimately be linked to form a network encircling the entire island.

(United Daily News)

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