Taiwan on Two Wheels
By Devon Banks Imagine New York City during rush hour during the peak of summer. The air is heavy and humid and you are covered in a film of gritty sweat. Thankfully, you’ve got air-conditioning. The cars, like cattle, race quickly to try and beat the red lights. Bike messengers swerve in and out of traffic. Pedestrians, frustrated from the heat and hot sun, try to cross whenever they can. The noise from the construction beats through the windows and the glaring sun shines in your eyes. This is a nightmare commute. Driving in NYC rush hour isn’t even close to the nightmare I face daily. Trust me. I drive in one of Taiwan’s largest cities, Tainan, every day. The driving here is what nightmares are made of. Picture this: change every NYC car into a scooter, a two wheeled motorized vehicle that is capable of speeds up to 80km/h where the driver sits down on a comfy seat and controls brakes and acceleration with their hands. Continue to envision some scooters are br...