Bike sharing in Taiwan
Today, we are heading to Taiwan to explore shared micromobility.
Having grown steadily since the launch of YouBike in Taipei in 2009, Taiwan has built one of the most comprehensive bike-sharing ecosystems in Asia. This system is now present in most major cities and many rural counties (such as Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, etc.).
This rapid growth would not have been possible without certain factors: a public-private model involving municipalities and Giant (the main operator and manufacturer), policies promoting accessibility for as many people as possible, and investment in innovative technology, in particular technological modernization (YouBike 2.0 then 2.0E). The continuous improvement of this system has been key to the success of bike sharing.
Nevertheless, challenges remain, both operational and in terms of attracting new users. This article will therefore present local dynamics and public policies before highlighting the operational challenges and future prospects for bike sharing in Taiwan.
I- Taiwan's main systems
Since 2009, bike sharing (YouBike) has grown significantly in Taiwan. The YouBike service, launched in Taipei in March 2009 with 11 stations and 500 bikes, has spread throughout the country. According to official sources, the national network has a total of more than 6,800 stations (1,582 stations of the old version 1.0 and 5,246 of version 2.0), with some 653 million rentals accumulated by the end of 2022. The system has seen its usage explode: with 22 million trips in 2014, twice as many as in 2013. Usage continues to grow as the network expands. The new bikes are designed for intensive use and incorporate RFID chip tracking to reduce theft. For their part, municipalities have introduced incentives, such as the first 30 minutes free or insurance included, to promote cycling as a sustainable means of urban transport. So, to understand the popularity of the service in the country, each case must be studied individually.
Let's start with Greater Taipei (Taipei and New Taipei). This is where YouBike was born. After the pilot launch in 2009 (500 bikes), the network quickly expanded. In 2014, Taipei had around 196 stations with 6,046 bikes in circulation. In 2020-2022, the city rolled out the modernized YouBike 2.0 system (white bikes) with smartphone unlocking. In 2021, Taipei committed to completely phasing out the old 1.0 bikes by the end of 2022 in order to switch to the 2.0 fleet. At the same time, the city council has decided to increase its network from 1,338 to 2,000 stations and from 16,562 to 27,500 bikes by 2026, as part of its sustainable transport objectives. All these units are managed in partnership with Giant (manufacturer and main operator), under the auspices of the City's Department of Transportation.
The case of Taoyuan: The city has been using YouBike 2.0 since 2023. At the beginning of 2024, the Taiwanese network in Taoyuan had 2,600 standard bikes (YouBike 2.0) in service. At the end of January 2024, the city council launched YouBike 2.0E (electric bikes), adding 600 extra e-bikes to help cyclists in hilly areas. These bikes can be used throughout Greater Taipei thanks to a harmonized pricing system. Journeys remain subsidized: the first hour is free, and boarding with an EasyCard allows for easy multimodal integration (bus/metro).
In Taichung, the city launched its iBike service in July 2014, with 100 bikes at three pilot stations (City Hall, Fengjia, etc.). Giant Bicycles committed to providing up to 1,500 bikes for the city. The system quickly won over the population. Over the years, the network has been expanded: by 2020, Taichung already had 329 iBike 1.0 stations. Since then, the city has embarked on a “doubling plan” with a switch to YouBike 2.0. The municipal government plans to expand the fleet to around 1,329 stations (1,000 new ones in addition to the existing 329) in order to triple the urban network. This modernization includes the widespread use of mobile payment and connection to the YouBike ecosystem.
In Tainan, the city has been operating its own local “T-Bike” system (developed in-house) since August 2016. In 2022, Tainan had approximately 77 stations and 1,824 bicycles in this network. Recognizing the limitations of this model, the municipality decided to migrate to YouBike 2.0 at the end of 2023. By 2024, the city now had 500 stations, as well as new electric bikes (YouBike 2.0E), following the example of other cities.
In Kaohsiung, the country's second largest city, a “CityBike” system with 5,600 bikes and 316 stations was launched in March 2009. In 2019, this network was completely modernized to YouBike 2.0 (brand and white bikes). Since the overhaul, the Kaohsiung network has become denser: 1,086 stations and approximately 17.95 million cumulative rentals were recorded in mid-2022, a fleet larger than that of Taipei. The city has continued to innovate: in November 2022, it launched 500 e-bikes (YouBike 2.0E) and by the end of 2024 had increased this total to 1,800 e-bikes. The new electric bikes are widely used (around 8.5 trips/day on average) and extend the range of travel. Kaohsiung also introduced compulsory individual insurance for cyclists in 2023 (covered in the offer) and accepts TPASS monthly passes on YouBike 2.0 to facilitate urban carpooling.
Finally, as for other cities, YouBike systems also exist in Hsinchu (city and science park), Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, etc. For example, the Taichung park has been expanded to new cities in Taichung and Changhua, and YouBike 2.0 bikes have been introduced in tourist areas (such as Kenting in the south). In each case, local authorities adapt rates and stations according to local needs.
II- The future of cycling: innovation, challenges, and development
With this overview of regional dynamics in mind, we can now turn our attention to the public policies implemented to promote the success of bike sharing in Taiwan.
It is an understatement to say that local and central governments encourage shared micro-mobility. Cities often subsidize the first half hour (NT$5 subsidy in Taipei until 2024), require users to take out automatic accident insurance (free to subscribe to) or include it in the subscription. Financial incentives exist for multimodal users (discounts for bus/train connections) and there are plans for cycle corridors (“greenways”) connecting YouBike stations to public transport networks. For example, in Taipei and New Taipei, the combined use of TPASS (metro/bus) and YouBike 2.0E subscriptions is being promoted to encourage cycling as a “first/last mile” mode of transport. In March 2024, Taipei even extended the free first 30 minutes to all YouBike trips, with the aim of reducing urban carbon emissions by 40% by 2030. On the regulatory front, cities have introduced point systems to penalize dangerous behavior (riding on sidewalks, using a cell phone, etc.) on self-service bikes. Since July 2024, for example, YouBike cyclists lose points for violations, which can lead to suspension of use if they accumulate too many. Users are also encouraged to take out insurance via the app (free of charge) before renting – a requirement that is now mandatory for borrowing a 2.0E e-bike.
That said, let's not forget that the YouBike service is managed by YouBike Co., a subsidiary of the manufacturer Giant Bicycles, which designs and maintains the bikes. Giant has played a key role from the outset (initially supplying hundreds of bikes, then thousands). Municipal transportation departments oversee contracts and subsidies, while other companies (e.g., private or technology operators) handle logistics. Beyond the state-supported YouBike network, Taiwan experienced a brief private “dockless” phase: in 2017-2018, companies such as Germany's oBike and America's VBikes launched dockless bikes (8,000 oBike bikes in Taiwan at peak). These private services quickly disappeared due to a lack of regulation and poor bike parking. The design of YouBike incorporated these lessons: official bikes are attached to fixed stations (“soft terminals”) and equipped with RFID chips and electronic locks to limit loss and disorder. The YouBike 2.0 model is also very “smart”: it can be unlocked using a smartphone QR code (no physical badge required), and usage statistics are publicly available. The latest technical developments include the widespread introduction of e-bikes (YouBike 2.0E) and the integration of shared bikes into smart city systems (e.g., real-time consultation via app, geolocation).
Conclusion
In short, Taiwan is shifting into high gear. Expansion continues with the addition of 662 stations in Taipei in 2026, bringing the total to 2,000, and a Taipei–New Taipei–Taoyuan corridor that is accelerating electrification with 1,500 2.0E e-bikes starting in fall 2024. Added to this are social and technical innovation levers: a generalized penalty point system in the north in 2024, and enhanced insurance and security (covered in the vast majority of cases). In short, the course is set for a denser, simpler, and safer bike-sharing system.
The challenge now is to manage the hidden side of success: maintaining a rapidly growing fleet (already more than 10,000 public bikes), carefully balancing the network to avoid shortages and overstocking, and preventing parking abuses. The memory of dockless bikes encourages vigilance. Finally, the last challenge, and not the least: making bikes more competitive with cars and scooters, thanks to a continuous network of bike paths in both urban and rural areas. If these obstacles can be overcome, Taiwan has everything it needs to make cycling a daily habit.