TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei, New Taipei, and Taoyuan will jointly require all YouBike riders to complete registration for publicly funded bicycle accident insurance starting Jan. 1, per Commercial Times.

Wu Cheng-yen (吳政諺), a senior technical specialist at the New Taipei City Transportation Department, said New Taipei currently operates 1,506 YouBike 2.0 stations and has recorded more than 300 million cumulative rides, averaging 130,000 rentals per day.

Since July 1, 2024, YouBike members have been required to complete an insurance form before renting YouBike 2.0 bicycles, including electric-assisted models. Wu said the policy boosted public bicycle accident insurance coverage from 64% to 96%.

Wu emphasized that the insurance is fully government-funded and free to users. He encouraged riders to download the YouBike app, register, and access the “Public Bicycle Accident Insurance” section. Riders involved in accidents that result in death, disability, or hospitalization may apply for compensation by submitting medical receipts and related documents.

From July last year to June this year, about 70 insurance claims were filed in New Taipei, up 62% from 43 cases during the same period a year earlier.

Temporary members who rent bikes using credit cards are also required to complete insurance information when linking their card before renting.

Coverage includes up to NT$1 million (US$32,000) for cases involving fractures, disability, hospitalization, or death. For riders under 15, the policy includes funeral and disability benefits. A hospitalization allowance of up to NT$1,000 per day is also available. The rider must match the insured individual to qualify for compensation.

YouBike will also launch a bonus program from Jan. 1 to June 30. Riders who borrow a bike from a station with no available docks or return a bike to a station with no available bicycles in the Taipei–New Taipei–Taoyuan region will receive a NT$5 riding coupon, per Apple News.

YouBike Spokesperson Lin Yuan-yu (林元煜) said registered members are automatically enrolled. Each account may receive up to two bonuses within 10 minutes. Bonuses are processed at 11:59 p.m. daily and credited before 7 a.m. the following morning.

Coupons are valid for 90 days, and the system will deduct those closest to expiration first. Multiple coupons can be used at once.