TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Foreigners in Taiwan often complain that the roads and sidewalks in Taiwan are not as people-friendly as in other countries.
You can see motorcylces parked on sidewalks or personal belongings taking up public space throughout the country, making the pathways much narrower than the original design.
Sidewalks are often blocked or uneven in between buildings, making it harder for people to stroll, especially for disabled people or parents traveling with strollers.
Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kuo-tsai has admitted that the designs of the roads and sidewalks in Taiwan are far more car-friendly than people-friendly.
Taiwan's Legislative Yuan is taking action. Anyone can report motorcycles or vehicles illegally parked or even temporarily parked in tunnels, bridges, roundabouts, fast lanes, sidewalks, or crosswalks across the country.
The owners of the vehicles can be fined up to NT＄6,000, up from NT＄3,600 previously.
However, experts warned that setting higher fines won't solve this situation.
The drivers' habits need to be changed too, and the way roads and sidewalks are built needs to be improved.
Experts point out roads and sidewalks, such as Zhongxiao West Road, are not only unfriendly, but also inconvenient for people riding motorcycles.