Job Discussion Forums

foris · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 6 Location: here

I will soon be making my way to Taiwan and I am trying to tie up loose ends. One of the ends that is looser than others is money (I'm tripping over my laces). I was wondering about cutting back on the expense of buying a scooter. It probably isn't *necessary* that I buy a scooter, but just how helpful is it? Can I survive without one? I guess the follow-up questions is: how helpful is a scooter? Do I want to survive without one?

And in case I do decide to buy one, does anyone have any advice about dealers or models?

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

I've lived here for 7 months and never once felt the need for a scooter. You have the MRT.

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

One word of warning.

Once you have scooted, you will find it difficult to go back to public transportation, so stick with buses and the MRT until you are sure you want to get a scooter.

matchstick_man · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 244 Location: Taiwan

Depends where you live. If you live in a small town then no you don't need it. If you live in Taipei and work near an MRT station then no you don't need it. If you live in Taichung or Kaosiung you may need it. Although in Kaosiung the sidewalks/footpath/pavement is seriously congested with people parking. I survived without a scooter for two years. Then finally gave in.

I know foreigners who take their scooters to work when they live a block away. Almost any one who has lived in taiwan for a while will comment if you make a ten minute walk to work. It always strikes me as stupid. If you're pollution conscious. I suggest buying a bicycle but seriously even that is dependent where you live.

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

Unless you live in downtown Taipei (and even then you might buy one), you're most likely going to get a scooter. They're ubiquitous. I read somewhere that there is one scooter for every two people on this island: the highest concentration of motorcycle ownership in the world. Looking around me, that's very easy to see. They are cheap to buy, cheap on gas and cheap to repair. They're also fun to ride, faster than cars on Taiwan's crowded roads and easy to park. Like most fellow expats, you will more than likely get one while you are here. Dealerships? Literally one on every corner (though you're likely to buy your first scooter used from a fellow expat, so won't need a dealer for much more than repairs). Models? There are roughly a half dozen major brands of scooter. Each of these name brands produces a whole product line of scooters of various cost and engine type and size. The result is there are quite a large number of different models. For your first scooter, you are likely to buy a used one that is available for sale at a reasonable price.

DirtGuy · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Posts: 529

Tell me if I am missing something:

Every time I have been to TW, I have ridden a scooter and absolutely hated it. Not the ease of getting around mind you, just the fact of trying to ride something for which my body is not suited. I am far more comfortable and feel safer on a full-sized motorcycle frame than on one of those stupid small-wheeled things.

My unanswered question is why do not more people ride full-sized bikes with real wheels, tires, frames, etc? They are much more stable on roads and at higher speeds than scooters yet one sees relatively few of them. And I am not referring to heavy bikes, just bikes of 125 or 150 cc.

Somebody please clue me in. Why do not more people ride these?

As always, thanks for the info.

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

If you do decide to get a scooter you have to take into account the fact that you will have an accident. They are a common experience on Taiwan right up there with typhoons and earthquakes. Every year foreigners are killed in a motorcycle accidents. Most accidents are not that serious but some are fatal. The biggest problem is that the local people do not assist others who get into an accident. They look the other way and drive off.
Hit and run is the standard procedure in most major cities on Taiwan. The police are unable or unwilling to do anything about it.
Even if you are a very good driver and never make a mistake eventually someone will hit you. In most areas on Taiwan the fact that you are a foreigner will nullify the fact that the accident was not your fault and you pay the damages and medical bills. You also have to take into account the fact that you will miss work for the amount of time you are hospitalized.
Foreigners have no rights on Taiwan and that means you!
Welcome to Taiwan!
A.

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

You asked a very simple question and the simple answer is. . .

You can survive very well without a scooter.

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

Yes, as Clark says, the storage ability of a scooter is a real plus. You can stow stuff under the seat and in the footwells. I transport my dog to the park on my scooter. Motorcycles are so less practical.

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

matchstick_man · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 244 Location: Taiwan

Your life quality is also worse at the same time as you're contributing to the pollution problem. Come here and see what it's like if you have a conscience you won't be buying a scooter straight away........though during the summers they are so much nicer than bicycles due to the wind cooling you down.

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056