Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

Do you feel just a bit unsafe when riding a motorcycle? Are you having trouble learning how to ride a bicycle? Do you have a driver's license, yet hesitate to take your car on the road to experience the enjoyment of driving? Good News! The Taipei City Motor Vehicle Office announces the opening of the Taipei City Safe Driving Education Center, which offers a range of classes including student motorcycle safety, first-time bicycle-riding, defensive-driving, senior-citizen safe-driving, and road driving classes for license-holders. All classes are free-of-charge, so bring your friends and sign up today.

The Center, a provisional unit of the Motor Vehicle Office offering training in safe driving, began offering test classes in March 2009, quickly attracting growing numbers of students, and on June 10th, Deputy Mayor Lin hosted the ceremony for the official opening. Public response to the classes has been overwhelmingly positive.

The first Student Motorcycle Safety and Defense-Driving Classes were organized for students from the Taipei College of Maritime Technology. "These class activities are great!” said one of the students, surnamed Hsu, in the feedback survey. Some of the students even suggested that the lecturers and trainers (sponsored by the Yamaha Education Fund) tour campuses to teach more students motorcycle riding skills, as well as safety and defensive driving.

Speaking of cycles, have you learned how to ride a bicycle yet? If not, sign up for a class at the Taipei City Safe Driving Education Center! With the right instruction, learning to ride isn’t difficult at all. You will get the hang of it in ten minutes, and be riding freely in 30. "I used to have someone hold the bicycle from behind and run with me, and I tried to teach my children how to ride by tying a long bamboo pole to the back of the bicycle for support. But it was no use; it was such a problem," said a local father, Mr. Kao. He brought his son to the Center for one last try. Sometimes, miracles do happen, and Mr. Kao marveled at the results: "It was a miracle. How did they do it?"

The Center also conducts Senior-Citizen Safe-Driving classes and Road Driving classes for license-holders lacking the confidence to actually drive. At the beginning of the program, an elderly man called to say, "I have driven a car for 30 years, and I have crossed more bridges and seen more than you can imagine. It is such a waste of money to open these classes." However, another student, Ms Wang, who had just returned from overseas, said, "I never used to have problems driving before, but now I hardly dare to get on the road." During her absence, traffic conditions in Taipei City had changed dramatically. The instructors at the Center worked with her to rebuild her confidence, gradually restoring her peace of mind. Also in the class were many other people who had gotten their licenses but not yet begun driving. Afterward, many of them had a whole new view of safe driving, and were deeply grateful to their instructors for helping them conquer their fears and hit the road with success.

The most difficult part is always the first mile. Most learners already have the basics skills, so improving on them is easy. Every city resident with the need is welcome to the Center to become a better driver and feel better about driving. To register for a class, please call (02)-2831-4155 ext. 700, or for more information please visit us online at (Chinese website)http://www.mvo.taipei.gov.tw/lp.asp?ctNode=6680&CtUnit=4672&BaseDSD=7&mp=117011.

The Taipei City Motor Vehicle Office emphasizes that the purpose of the Taipei City Safe Driving Education Center is to create a safe driving environment through changing the mindset and behaviors of road users. This mission will be carried out through training and safe-driving education.