Yuanlin market
Even indoors you are not safe from scooters
New improved video (work in progress)
The market area in Yuanlin has many interesting small stalls selling fruit, vegetables and other items. There is just one problem ... scooters. Now I love scooters, but there is a time and place for everything and squeezing down the narrow streets where people are trying to buy food is just not the place. Pedestrians are almost none existent as it is impossible to walk the streets without looking out permanently for scooters, yet here you are supposed to shop. Even crossing over to an interesting stall is a nightmare. I feel sorry for the stall owners who have to suffer the noise and pollution everyday. It could be a fantastic area if some attempt was made by local administration to reduce motor traffic.
Even the indoor market is not free of scooters as the top picture shows and that was taken this afternoon when the market was more or less over. CO2 fumes trapped inside a building where people are selling food. 'You cannot be serious!' to quote a famous American tennis player.
I feel like saying ... Hey, scooter riders, get off your bikes and walk you lazy lot!
But of course it is not that simple, as the system has developed over many years and in many ways it's actually quite efficient. Electric bikes would be great: silent and pollution free, but even then pedestrians would be vulnerable as they would not hear them coming. Many scooter riders are mothers doing their weekly shopping. They drop the bags on the scooter and whizz off home. Understandably they have no desire to lug heavy shopping bags in this heat. Now I understand why I cannot find a shop that sells cool bags - there is no need. I am the only fool walking with my shopping. They are home before I have reached my car which is on the verge of melting along with the butter.
However I am convinced there are ideas for improving the road system and the first thing I would do is ban cars from these small streets. Cars have no business there and they take up far too much room. It is a simple solution that costs virtually nothing.
Even the indoor market is not free of scooters as the top picture shows and that was taken this afternoon when the market was more or less over. CO2 fumes trapped inside a building where people are selling food. 'You cannot be serious!' to quote a famous American tennis player.
I feel like saying ... Hey, scooter riders, get off your bikes and walk you lazy lot!
But of course it is not that simple, as the system has developed over many years and in many ways it's actually quite efficient. Electric bikes would be great: silent and pollution free, but even then pedestrians would be vulnerable as they would not hear them coming. Many scooter riders are mothers doing their weekly shopping. They drop the bags on the scooter and whizz off home. Understandably they have no desire to lug heavy shopping bags in this heat. Now I understand why I cannot find a shop that sells cool bags - there is no need. I am the only fool walking with my shopping. They are home before I have reached my car which is on the verge of melting along with the butter.
However I am convinced there are ideas for improving the road system and the first thing I would do is ban cars from these small streets. Cars have no business there and they take up far too much room. It is a simple solution that costs virtually nothing.
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