Just wondering if there’s been any updates on the work on the new bridge next to the old Zhongzheng Bridge. I’d read the old bridge would be converted to pedestrian use some time in February or March this year, but I can’t find any information confirming whether that’s happened yet. Does anyone know? It’d help with my route planning.
Dont forget any news about projects and constructions you can find here
There is a lot of work in progress. I think right now the west-side is fully open for traffic both ways. Part of the east side was recently opened to connect from Yonghe to Taipei (水甚麼路 ? the connection for cars where scooters are not allowed). I do not know what the plans are for the future.
As a pedestrian or biker I would recommend to avoid this bridge for now. Having said that, it may be possible to cross safely using the walk-way on the west side that connects to the riverside park. I have not tried that.
Is there an English link to this?
I don’t think so. That map is 4 years old. Many things have improved since I posted it. I would say more than 90% of riverside parks in Greater Taipei now have dedicated bike paths. Keelung and Taoyuan are expanding their bike path networks as well. So you would hardly need a map to find bike paths these days.
A fish ladder has been built about a hundred meters downriver from Bitan along the right bank. They even put in an underwater viewing window so you could see fish fight their way upstream to spawn. I stopped by during my ride yesterday. Must have stared at it for a good 5 minutes. Not a single fish! I guess it’s not spawning season.
I just took another look at the first video from March 11, and at 20.14 minutes you can see someone cycling along a dedicated pedestrian (and presumably bike) path on the west side of the new bridge.
So, yes: it seems you can cycle across it. Just need to find the access point now…
Some of you will know it already, but they are FINALLY building a pedestrian/bicycle bridge here:
Connecting Nangang and Xixhi.
Will it stop half way, with the Xinbei side unfinished?
That’s a historical joke btw. I hope Hou’s government actually delivers.
Guy
More (old-ish) news. They are improving the section between the Beitou-Tamsui border to near Zhuwei station. In case you’re still lost, it’s where the red Guandu Bridge is.
Quite necessary because that part has a lot of traffic, both cyclists and pedestrians, and it’s narrow. There’s also a blind corner where I have no doubt there must have been some crashes.
Bad news is that it eats the riverside even more in a section where the road and the MRT already took most of it.
Works will last one year.
A much needed improvement. I’m always taking that corner as slow as humanly possible and just praying no one is there or slows down. I guess the new container area by Guandu wharf prompted them to re-think the path.
Here’s a random Taipei river path question - what’s the least stressful way to cut across Shezi? I want to go from the river path on the west side to the east side.
Ideally the easiest way to ride off of the path, cut across without an insane amount of traffic, and re-enter the path on the east side.
This is perfect! Yeah, I just want to cut across like this.
Sorry kind of a dumb question, but I figured someone on here would know before I have to go spelunking into street view.
Brendon’s suggestion is indeed the easiest way to get across. I do like the whole Shezidao loop though, it’s nice going the long way around. Just saying.
Yup - I actually want to just do Shezi, it’s super calm and chill.
Careful on that one. It’s a bend and there’s zero infrastructure to slow down motor vehicles. Because the responsibility for staying alive is 100% under pedestrians and cyclists. Slowing down motor vehicles is forbidden by Taiwanese motor religion. That’s why they put some plastic cones on the way of cyclists and pedestrians.
There’s a zebra crossing, but no one is going to give priority to a pesky bicycle.
Often at zebra crossings I’ll coast up slowly on the bike, hoping to be able to ride across if traffic allows. That one, nope, no way. Always always walk across. The visibility is too limited.
I don’t know why anyone would try to bike across that. I know the place you’re talking about and I’m getting off the bike and walking across. It looks super sketchy and vehicles don’t often look. In fact if you are crossing into public traffic from the riverside park, if the distance is less than 100 meters (and it appears to be, from the bridge to the Danshui river end of the park is around 100 meters or so), but it’s super hazardous for cyclist. There is also what appears to be a salvage yard with large vehicle that may enter/exit without warning.
As a matter of fact the ramp from the river wall to the street zigzags in a way that you really must dismount. I think this is intentional.
The most dangerous part in my opinion is the danshui river end of the red line drawn on the map. There is a road that intersects from behind you, and there’s huge temptation for you to simply bike across that long stretch but a car coming out of that street will kill you before you know it.
Always walk across indeed, zebra crossings are for pedestrians not vehicles. Apart from it being an AH move, if you get hit/hit something/one when cycling on a pedestrian crossing you’ll likely be legally liable, even if it “wasn’t your fault”.