Taiwan bans leaning a motorcycle beyond 30 degrees

Taiwan bans leaning a motorcycle beyond 30 degrees

Sign reads: Enforcement by camera (technology), strict enforcement

In a move that has Taiwanese motorcycle and scooter riders in an uproar, the Changhua County Police Department is issuing fines to those exceeding a lean angle of more than 30 degrees from the vertical while riding. Reported in various Taiwan dailies and websites, Changhua police announced the installation of two camera enforcement points on County Road 139.

The lean angle cameras are programmed to take photos of riders exceeding a lean angle of more than 30 degrees beginning November 15. County Road 139 winds along the ridge of the Changtou Bagua Mountains and is popular with riders for its scenery and winding roads.

Changhua police say the two curves, Li She Coffee Shop and Shaolin Temple, are known as “Curves of Death” and known for dangerous riding and accidents. The camera system uses license plate and smart image recognition to automatically detect and take photos of “dangerous” riding.

Sign reads: Cornering camera ahead

Photos are manually reviewed and if an infraction is seen, a fine is issued to the rider under Article 43 of the Taiwan “Road Traffic Management Punishment Regulations” Penalties for dangerous driving. Changhua police say this includes if the rider hangs their feet, stretches their legs or leans their body, touches the ground with their hands or knees, or causes sparks when the motorcycle runs out of ground clearance.

Taiwanese riders are protesting this move, citing issues such as calibration of cameras and how is measurement made from photographs. Messages left on the Changhua police social media pages criticize the action as incompetent and overbearing, with some questioning whether there was any legal basis for such a move.

One netizen left a message on Changhua County Magistrate Wang Huimei’s social media page, “can the county magistrate please demonstrate how to use motorcycles when cornering?” with another asking if the county government sold special protractors for riders to measure lean angle. Others uploaded photos of large displacement police motorcycles taking corners at extreme lean angles, angrily asking, “do I need to be fined if I corner the bike like this?”

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Mohan K Ramanujam

Coming with diverse and extensive experience in heavy engineering, Mohan enjoys making anything with wheels go fast, especially motorcycles. His weapon of choice is the Desmoquattro engine, and he has a penchant for anything with a dash of Italian design. Strangely enough, he insists he's a slow rider.

 

Comments

  • Tokkok on Nov 05, 2023 at 11:05 pm

    Do it 29 degree and you will be fine

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 3
  • tricycle on Nov 06, 2023 at 6:52 am

    lol

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Foresee some fools will argue about the degrees!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
    • Rakyat Malaysia on Nov 06, 2023 at 11:37 am

      In Taiwan they beat each other up if don’t agree with one another. Expect riders to bash polis when issuing samans for this stupid law.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Ben Yap on Nov 06, 2023 at 8:34 am

    chicken strips should be rename as Taiwanese strips.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • So modern bikes need a lean indicator as well now? As if the dash isn’t already crowded

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • So if a motorcyclist falls at one of these sections, they will be injured, damaged their rides and also fined for leaning just before they fall?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Law abiding citizen on Nov 06, 2023 at 10:03 am

    At first I thought 30 degree for the bike while cornering then I realized it’s for the rider. LOL As a leisure rider this is nonsense.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • SCion on Nov 06, 2023 at 10:25 am

    exceeding 30 degree also means you are overspeeding while cornering.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • So, Singapore isn’t the only place with dumb traffic rules with compulsory dumb gps tracker

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • komarad on Nov 06, 2023 at 11:49 am

    if you lean means you’re too fast…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
    • Civic Type Rawr on Nov 06, 2023 at 10:41 pm

      Did you corner a two wheelers staying straight as pole? You shouldn’t attempt to break a law that you can’t. Physics

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Civic Type Rawr on Nov 06, 2023 at 10:42 pm

      Lol did you corner a two wheelers staying straight as pole? You shouldn’t attempt to break a law that you can’t. Physics

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ah Chong on Nov 06, 2023 at 12:29 pm

    Legends only need to tilt their head to turn while keep bike straight. If you know you know lol

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Mike Tee on Nov 06, 2023 at 12:35 pm

    To ensure you don’t have to lean more than 30 degrees, go slower.

    You are welcome

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • At Malaysia, we just introduce more speed breakers.

    no need bullshit.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Internet Guy on Nov 06, 2023 at 1:36 pm

    So just drag knee with the bike upright?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Final Solution of Darth Vader on Nov 06, 2023 at 5:48 pm

    The lean angel is by physic to balance your body + vehicle with speed when taking a corner. So if you cannot lean your body greater than 30 degree when taking a corner, by physic you will be off center if you exceed a certain speed and probably enter into an opposite line killing you instantly with a crash. Probably the law is made as the final solution to remove the motorists from the road.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • it’s only illegal when you are vertical riding.
    nothing said about being horizontal.
    so, dont go for 30, got straight 90 degree. /s

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
 

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