> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.taiwanquest.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Three years of scooting around - URL: https://www.taiwanquest.com/three-years-of-scooting-around/ - Published: 2026-05-08T18:40:08.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-25T05:34:12.000Z - Description: It’s been a ride… - Author: Zhen-Kang [After gaining my Taiwanese motorbike license on my second attempt](https://www.taiwanquest.com/how-to-pass-the-taiwan-scooter-driving-test/), I bought my first scooter three years ago today and haven’t looked back. This means I’ve now owned a scooter longer than half of the cars I ever owned in New Zealand. That would’ve surprised the old me. Before coming here, I was never a motorbike person. I assumed I’d eventually buy a scooter because that’s what people do—after all, Taiwan has the highest rate of scooter ownership in the world—but I didn’t have especially positive or negative feelings about the idea. But actually, as I discovered, I love the scooter life. Daily benefits include: - Convenience (scooters are often faster than cars in the city, and parking is a thousand times easier) - Saving money (in New Zealand, I spent around NT$2,500 (NZ$125) a week on gas; now I spend more like NT$80 (NZ$4)) - Fun - More fun - Still more fun Scooters are also cheaper, easier, and faster to maintain (and clean!). When driving my Subaru in New Zealand (in which I averaged 30,000 km a year), I felt comfortable and safe. It allowed me to access remote areas for landscape photography—my main hobby—relatively easily, without getting stuck in snow or mud. But driving an SUV didn’t directly bring me joy: that feeling came from the people I was with and the places we were going. Here in Taiwan, driving itself makes me feel alive. (That’s assuming all goes well—given Taiwan has 5× the population of New Zealand but 10× the number of traffic fatalities…) On this point, in addition to the risk of death, scooters are admittedly—just sometimes—very slightly inconvenient. For example, when taking inter-city trips, you can’t use freeways. This means you’re limited to 70 km/h, and have to put up with a lot of traffic lights. And rain is a challenge. I slow to under 35 km/h when the road’s wet, and I feel stressed when there’s surface flooding. The first time I got caught in a downpour was immediately after receiving this alert on my watch: ![Screenshot of an emergency alert on an Apple Watch. It reads “［大雷雨即時訊息］您所在地即將發生大雷雨，預計持續至04日23:15； Thunderstorm this area. CWB. TEL:02_2349_1234”.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/taiwan-thunderstorm-warning-message-on-apple-watch.png) …And I arrived home very wet: ![A very wet man wearing a full-face motorcycle helmet, standing on the street at night.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/wet-helmet.webp) I’ve since learned to keep an emergency poncho in the under-seat storage compartment. But injury, death, and rain are really the only issues. Scooter ownership and scooter riding is otherwise a blast. In reflecting on my three years of scooting around Taiwan, I've put together a list of my scooter-themed blog posts, with a bonus video at the end. Enjoy! 🛵💨 --- ## 2023 *Getting my license, getting a scooter, and getting out to explore:* [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/taiwan-driver-licence-medical-exam-paperwork-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/taiwan-scooter-license-medical-exam/) Want a scooter license in Taiwan? The first step is a trip to hospital… [Scooter Saga, Part I ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/taiwan-scooter-license-medical-exam/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/taiwan-motorcycle-road-test-facility-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/taiwan-scooter-license-test/) Passed the medical exam? Three more tests and a two-hour safety video await you… [Scooter Saga, Part II ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/taiwan-scooter-license-test/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/kaohsiung-city-motor-vehicles-office-lingya-station-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/how-to-pass-the-taiwan-scooter-driving-test/) So I got my Taiwanese scooter driver’s license… [Scooter Saga, Part III ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/how-to-pass-the-taiwan-scooter-driving-test/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/gogoro-scooter-waterfall-taipei-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/how-to-buy-a-scooter-in-taiwan/) How to buy a new scooter in Taiwan… [Scooter Saga, Part IV ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/how-to-buy-a-scooter-in-taiwan/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/taiwan-scooter-accessories-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/20-essential-taiwan-scooter-accessories/) 20 must-have accessories for your scooter in Taiwan… [Scooter Saga, Part V ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/20-essential-taiwan-scooter-accessories/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/man-and-crab-crossing-the-road-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/a-crab-and-a-man-cross-on-the-green-light/) Something unexpected on my way home from the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas… [A crab and a man cross on the green light ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/a-crab-and-a-man-cross-on-the-green-light/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/scooter-dashcam-screenshot-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/riding-around-kaohsiung/) Video of a lunchtime ride across town… [Riding around Kaohsiung ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/riding-around-kaohsiung/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/i-love-taitung-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/two-days-in-taitung/) Lizards, giant worms, hot air balloons, and paddy fields… [Two days in Taitung ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/two-days-in-taitung/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/zhongyang-old-street-magong-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/two-days-on-penghu/) My first trip to some of Taiwan’s offshore islands… [Two days on Penghu ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/two-days-on-penghu/) --- ## 2024 *A solo circumnavigation of Taiwan, and a collision with grandpa:* [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/dapeng-bay-maritime-building-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-kaohsiung-to-kenting/) Evading the fuzz from Kaohsiung to Kenting… [Huandao Day 1 ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-kaohsiung-to-kenting/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/train-passing-duoliang-station-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-kenting-to-taitung/) A slow, wet journey from Kenting to Taitung… [Huandao Day 2 ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-kenting-to-taitung/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/sanxiantai-bridge-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-taitung-to-hualien/) Elections and erections between Taitung and Hualien… [Huandao Day 3 ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-taitung-to-hualien/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/motorcyclist-selfie-on-taiwan-clifftop-road-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-hualien-to-yilan/) All things spectacular from Hualien to Yilan… [Huandao Day 4 ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-hualien-to-yilan/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/lanyang-museum-yilan-taiwan-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-yilan-to-keelung/) Yilan to Keelung, the north-east corner of Taiwan… [Huandao Day 5 ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-yilan-to-keelung/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/lai-ching-te-victory-speech-on-tv-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-keelung-to-taipei/) An alien village, a queen, and a lighthouse, between Keelung and Taipei… [Huandao Day 6 ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-keelung-to-taipei/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/new-taipei-city-art-museum-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-taipei-to-hsinchu/) From Taipei to Hsinchu, the semiconductor capital of Taiwan… [Huandao Day 7 ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-taipei-to-hsinchu/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/iphone-15-pro-outside-tsmc-museum-of-innovation-hsinchu-taiwan-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-hsinchu-to-taichung/) An easy ride from Hsinchu to Taichung… [Huandao Day 8 ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-hsinchu-to-taichung/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/minxiong-haunted-house-taiwan-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-taichung-to-chiayi/) From Taichung to Chiayi, buildings old and new… [Huandao Day 9 ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-taichung-to-chiayi/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/high-heel-church-budai-taiwan-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-chiayi-to-tainan/) Getting salty between Chiayi and Tainan… [Huandao Day 10 ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-chiayi-to-tainan/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/chimei-museum-taiwan-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-tainan-to-kaohsiung/) Completing my circumnavigation of Taiwan by scooter, with a short ride from Tainan to Kaohsiung… [Huandao Day 11 ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-tainan-to-kaohsiung/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/taiwan-scooter-reflected-in-convex-mirror-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/reflections-on-huandao/) Three months ago, I returned from my solo circumnavigation of Taiwan by scooter. Here are my thoughts… [Reflections on huandao ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/reflections-on-huandao/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/taiwanese-grandpa-driving-scooter-before-accident-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/my-first-scooter-accident-in-taiwan/) My first (extremely minor) scooter accident in Taiwan… [Watch out for grandpa! ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/my-first-scooter-accident-in-taiwan/) --- ## 2025 *A free meal, a parking lot, and a trip to the mountains:* [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/lingya-precinct-kaohsiung-city-government-police-bureau-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/free-dinner-at-the-police-station/) An unexpected bonus while filing a report… [Free dinner at the police station ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/free-dinner-at-the-police-station/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/underground-scooter-parking-area-dream-mall-kaohsiung-taiwan-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/scooter-parking-in-taiwan/) Video of an underground scooter parking lot in Kaohsiung, Taiwan… [Parking like a pro ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/scooter-parking-in-taiwan/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2026/05/wutai-township-pic.jpg)](https://www.taiwanquest.com/wutai-township-pingtung-taiwan/) Photos of an indigenous township in the Pingtung mountains… [A scooter ride to Wutai ](https://www.taiwanquest.com/wutai-township-pingtung-taiwan/) --- ## Bonus video Dashcam footage of a summertime scooter ride across Kaohsiung (west to east and return), June 2025: [youtu.be/X3VDBcp9gzU](https://youtu.be/X3VDBcp9gzU) ---