Taiwan's night cyclers beat the heat, and fuel costs

By Ralph Jennings

TAIPEI (Reuters Life!) - Every night after leaving work at the Taiwan Stock Exchange, Lin Chen-tung turns on his headlight and joins thousands of others cruising down one of Taipei's most popular expressways -- on their bicycles.

For extra safety on the 20-km (12.4-mile) riverside route home, a narrow bike path shared with the thousands of other riders, Lin wears a helmet and a reflective striped vest.

"This is my only exercise, when I get on and off work," Lin said about halfway along his 75-minute homeward commute.

Night cycling, also practiced in Singapore and the United States, began in Taiwan in early 2007 as the sport itself took off due the availability of bikes, which are one of the island's major exports, and soaring fuel prices.

After-dark riders also use their only spare time to exercise while avoiding daytime highs of up to 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit).

Completion of bike paths along most of Taipei's major rivers and creeks last year accelerated the trend, said Hu Bi-yen, founder of the 11-year-old Enjoy bike club.

"Hardware along the river trails, such as restrooms, was finally completed last year," Hu said. "I can't estimate how many riders are out there now."

More than 1,000 bikes per night pass a segment of river trail just outside downtown, she said.