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One of the best and most enjoyable ways to explore a new city is by using bikes. Biking allows you to travel quickly through bike lanes while still being able to appreciate the surroundings at a leisurely pace.

In this blog post, I will dive into Taiwan's popular YouBike system, safety tips, YouBike pricing in different cities, renting YouBikes as a foreigner with or without a local Taiwanese SIM card, and how to return your YouBike.

table of contents

✺ What’s a YouBike?

✺ YouBike 1.0 vs 2.0

✺ Safety

✺ YouBike’s Pricing

✺ YouBike App (optional)

✺ How to rent YouBikes with or without a local SIM

✺ Returning your YouBike

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YouBike, or UBike as some call it, is Taiwan's massive network of bike-sharing stations. Launched in 2009, and only located in Taipei at the time, it's become a favorite way for locals to get around.

Since then, Taiwan decided to expand its bike stations and include more cities throughout Taiwan for others to be able to access YouBikes.

Now, you can find YouBike stations in major cities like New Taipei City, Taoyuan City, Hsinchu County, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu Science Park, Miaoli City, Taichung City, Chiayi City, Tainan City, Kaohsiung City, and Pintung County, making it easy to explore at your own pace.

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Taiwan's cities have traffic, like most other cities, but don’t worry! In most major cities like Taipei, there are designated bike lanes for riding your bike. However, some cities in Taiwan don't have bike lanes, so in those cases, you would have to bike on the side of the streets and leave the sidewalks for pedestrians.

Remember to follow traffic rules and consider renting a helmet beforehand at a local shop for extra protection.

💡 PRO TIP
If you see a YouBike with its seat backward, it's broken! Leave it for the mechanics to fix and find another bike.
If you find a YouBike broken, turn the seat backward as well!

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YouBike rentals are incredibly affordable compared to taxis, rideshares, buses, or MRT. YouBikes start at just $10 TWD (Taiwanese Dollars) — that's a steal!

Prices can vary depending on location, with some areas charging $20 TWD. Regardless, you're looking at $10 - $20 TWD per 30 minutes for up to 2 hours of riding. After that, the price increases slightly.

Remember, there's a minimum charge of $10 - $20 TWD, even for rides under 30 minutes.

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The YouBike app adds even more convenience to your ride. Find nearby stations, check bike availability, and your payment options.

This app is a lifesaver if you don't have a local Taiwanese SIM card or EasyCard.

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No worries if you don't have a local SIM card! Here's a step-by-step guide for both options:

with a local SIM card

Renting a YouBike with a local SIM card can be done in 3 different ways: at the kiosk, online, or through the YouBike app.

You will need an EasyCard, which can be purchased at convenience stores like 7-Eleven or FamilyMart. After getting your EasyCard and local SIM, register your EasyCard online or on the YouBike app and add in information. Once registered, visit any bike station, place your EasyCard on top of your chosen bike, making sure there is enough cash loaded on your EasyCard, and when the bike starts flashing green, you can remove your EasyCard, take out the bike, and you're good to go!

without a local SIM card

For renting without a local SIM card, you can register through the app. Create an account, input your credit card details and additional information, and then visit a bike station.

You will need internet access for the following steps: Choose your preferred bike, enable Bluetooth, press the red button below the screen of the bike that says "Rent via QR code", open your YouBike app, and scan the QR code displayed on the bike. After scanning the QR code and completing the process, the green light will flash, and the screen will display "Pull the bike out backward", indicating that you're ready to start biking… and voila! ✨

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You can use the YouBike app which helps you locate open stations with available docks. Find any open YouBike station and simply dock your bike in an empty spot. Make sure it's secure and wait for the screen to display "Thank You" followed by "Tap Your EasyCard".

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So there you have it! You're now ready to explore Taiwan on two wheels.
Feel free to comment below if you have any questions. Have fun and happy biking!

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check out my Taichung travel vlog

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Last Updated: 10.01.2024