With Elections Coming Up, EPA Flipflops on Motorbike Policy |汰換二行程機人 20萬人口區改勸導

A ban has been adjusted after it angered motorcyclists islandwide. The EPA was planning to phase out old two-stroke motorcycles but now it said the policy will be only effective in metropolitan, more populous areas


Ms. Liao rides her old scooter around her fields every day. She says the government's plan to get rid of all older two-stroke motorbikes is completely unreasonable.

Take a look for yourself. It's not just some old woman talking to herself, right? Am I causing a lot of (pollution)? Am I? The (policy) is pointless.

Motorbike owners took to the streets in protest when the Environmental Protection Administration announced the ban in June. The EPA has since backpedaled, saying the ban will only apply to metropolitan areas and townships and cities with a population below 200,000 will be exempt. Two-thirds of Taiwan's 930,000 two-stroke motorbikes are in the six special municipalities. The administration says it amended the policy because of its concern for people's daily lives.

If you're not going too far, like less than 10 or 20 kilometers, you're not emitting that much (pollution).

Environmental groups are scoffing at the administration's explanation, saying the change is a clear ploy to curry favor with voters ahead of the upcoming elections.

All the Environmental Protection Administration does is nitpick details. It's trying to work the elections. They are backpedaling because (motorbike owners are angry) and the ruling party is afraid of losing votes.

The administration says two-stroke motorbikes can still be used as long as they are serviced regularly and pass inspections. Environmental groups say a multi-pronged approach is needed to tackle Taiwan's air pollution problem and the Tsai administration needs to not only restrict two-stroke motorbikes, but also address factory pollution and other major sources of pollution.