LOS ANGELES, California–Taiwan, known around the world to lead in many high-profile industries including pro-level bicycle manufacturing, welcomes international cycling teams to compete at the Taiwan Cup in Hualien County. The Cup, hosted by Taiwan Tourism Bureau, is scheduled from November 5 – 13, 2011, providing cyclists nine full days to test their determination, sweat and pedal, and endurance to win for their country.
Since last year’s Cup was a friendly warm-up competition, this year’s event will kick-off with team competitions representing Australia, China, Colombia, France, Japan, Netherlands, Taiwan, Spain, Ukraine, and United States of America, all vying for the grand trophy, medals and cash prizes.
“Taiwan Cup plays an important role in promoting the nation’s natural scenic beauty and growing bicycle manufacturing industry.” said Trust Lin, Director of Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Los Angeles Office. “Taiwan’s love affair with cycling goes much deeper than competing at the high-profile annual Cup. The Taiwanese people have embraced this healthy pastime sport in their daily lives for years.”
With the increasing demand from the people to cycle throughout the island for leisure, commuting or competing, the Taiwan government decided to design a state-of-the-art, efficient, interlocking nationwide system of bikeways. Since 2002, the Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) has invested millions of dollars to make the bikeways a reality. Currently, there are 1,323 kilometers of bikeways that have been completed in northern Taiwan. By the end of 2012, this number will increase to 3,823 kilometers.
In addition, the CEPD launched a program to increase cycling in Taiwan. The program selects regions with great potential for cyclists to fully enjoy their ride. Counties Hualien and Taitung in the eastern region of Taiwan benefited from the program because of their natural scenic surroundings including the famous Taroko National Park. Described by international cyclists as the most beautiful region in the world to ride, the journey takes riders through natural landscapes dominated by mist-shrouded emerald-green mountains, sheer cliffs of gray-pink gneiss and marble with the brilliant blue Pacific Ocean as the overall background view.
In the effort to completely transform Taiwan into the most bike-friendly nation in the world, the government and private sector have launched many successful programs that have increased the people’s participation in the sport. Programs like “Leave Your Bike At Home” by Giant Bicycle Corporation offers cyclists to rent and return bicycles at any Giant locations throughout the island. The success of Giant’s campaign has started to promote Taiwan’s healthier and greener image on the international stage. For more information on the 2011 Taiwan Cup, check out their site at https://www.taiwancup.com.tw/en_main.html.