The Taichung bicycle and bike parts industries make up 77.8% of the nation’s cycling industry, and Taichung sporting equipment makes up 53%, making it an important city for cycling development. The Taichung city government’s Economic Development Bureau introduces the 2017 Wheels Ride Festival, which will begin on the 26th of this month at the Taiwan Boulevard Civic Square. Events will include a 100K challenge race and a children’s push bike competition. Cycling expert Lai Guanhua will act as spokesperson for the event, which will encourage the public to step outside and get healthy.

The 2017 Wheels Ride Festival press conference took place in front of City Hall on Taiwan Boulevard. Vice Secretary General Guo Kunming, Sports Bureau Chief Wang Qingtang, Economic Development Bureau Chief Secretary Cai Zhenzhen, Brainco Composits Inc CEO Cai Weixin, and representatives for City Councilors Weng Meichun, Chen Chengtian, and Chen Zhengxian were all in attendance.

Vice Secretary General Guo stated that Taichung is an important city for the cycling and sports equipment industries. The Taichung City Government has held cycling events such as the Taiwan Cycling Festival, Wheels Ride Festival, and L’Etape Taiwan, as well as successfully making cycling an official event for the 2019 East Asian Youth Games. All this, in addition to the 369 Cycling Program, is in the hopes of making Taichung into a base for cycling culture and talent development.

He stated the Wheels Ride Festival took place in Lihpao Land last year, to great acclaim from the public. This year the event will take place at Civic Square, and will include a 100K challenge route, which will take cyclists by the National Taichung Theater, Taichung Cycling Stadium, Gaomei Wetlands, Blue Road, and other famous landmarks. Over 5,000 cycling enthusiasts will be participating, including cyclists from France, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Together, they can all enjoy the beauty of Taichung.

Cycling expert, and spokesperson for this year’s event Lai Guanhua also stated this year’s 100 kilometer route will take participants all around the greater Taichung area, where they can enjoy both the beautiful scenery and the challenge, making it well suited for cyclists.

In order to encourage friendly self-competition, the Economic Development Bureau specially set up chip timers, and a Wall of Glory, allowing cyclists to record their glorious moment. In addition to the 100K self-challenge race, the event also features a children’s push bike competition. Finally, the R.O.C. Association for the Development of Disabled Cyclists have been invited to take part, and over 25 disabled cyclists will join in the event. Civic Square will also feature industry stalls, a hands-on area, and a Pancar Delicacy Area, making this event fun for the whole family.