CHIAYI (TVBS News) — The southwestern Taiwanese city of Chiayi will transform its urban landscape into a cycling enthusiast's paradise with a festive bicycle event celebrating World Bicycle Day later this month. Municipal officials announced Friday (April 11) that "Come to Chiayi BIKE and Ride for Good Friendships" (來嘉BIKE訪，騎出好交情), an initiative combining recreation, tourism and community engagement, will commence on April 26, with online registration available during a nine-day window beginning April 14.
The inaugural warm-up gathering will take place at the "Jiayou Railway Bike Path Nanjing Road Station" (嘉油鐵馬道南京路站), a popular access point to the city's repurposed railway corridor. Tourism and News Director Chang Wan-fen (張婉芬) emphasized Chiayi's substantial investment in cycling infrastructure, particularly its comprehensive YouBike 2.0 public bicycle sharing network, which now encompasses 196 rental stations and maintains a fleet of 1,486 bicycles. The official noted that the city's dedicated 25-kilometer cycling route network has established Chiayi as an increasingly recognized destination for bicycle tourism.
The tourism director highlighted the multifaceted nature of this year's cycling celebration, describing it as a thoughtfully designed blend of athletic challenge, cultural exploration, and community engagement. Participants will have opportunities to discover distinctive aspects of Chiayi's heritage and scenery while navigating the city's bicycle-friendly pathways. The April 26 warm-up event will operate from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., with flexible registration options available for both advance online enrollment and day-of participation at the event site.
Prospective participants can secure their places through the city's tourism-focused social media platform "Zoom In Chiayi" (嘉市好旅行) on Facebook, with registration commencing at 10 a.m. on April 14 and closing at 3 p.m. on April 23. Officials cautioned that participation capacity is limited. While the April gathering serves as a preliminary activity, the centerpiece celebration will unfold on May 25 at Lantan (蘭潭), a scenic reservoir area on the city's eastern edge, where organizers will distribute prizes valued at more than NT$20,000 (approximately US$610), adding a competitive dimension to the community-oriented cycling festival. ★