Helmets and gear

Our recommendation, on every rideCycle.tw recommends a properly fitted bicycle helmet on every ride, whatever the law says for your bike type. 'Not required' is not a reason to skip it. Some riverside rental stations in Taipei rent helmets.

What the law says, by kind of bike

Pedal bicycles

The lawNo legal requirement. The Road Traffic Safety Rules set helmet rules only for motorcycles (Article 88) and micro electric two-wheelers (Article 115-7), and the Act fines only those two groups for not wearing one. No article requiring helmets for pedal bicycle riders was found in the versions checked on November 4, 2026.
Road Traffic Safety Rules, Article 88; Road Traffic Safety Rules, Article 115-7; Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, Article 73

Electric-assist bicycles

The lawNo legal requirement found for electric-assist bicycles (電動輔助自行車). They must carry the type-approval label instead (Act Article 69-1 and 71).
Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, Article 69-1; Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, Article 71

Micro electric two-wheelers

The lawRiders of micro electric two-wheelers (微型電動二輪車, formerly called 電動自行車, 'electric bicycles') must wear an inspected motorcycle or bicycle helmet bearing the Bureau of Standards (BSMI) mark, fastened under the chin. Fine for not wearing one: NT$300. These vehicles must also be type-approved, registered, carry a licence plate and compulsory third-party insurance; riders must be at least 14; top speed is 25 km/h; no passengers. Plate registration became compulsory on November 30, 2022, and vehicles already in use had two years to register.
Road Traffic Safety Rules, Article 115-7; Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, Article 73; Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, Article 69-1; Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, Article 71-1; Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, Article 72-1; Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, Article 72-2; Road Traffic Safety Rules, Article 115-2

• No helmet: NT$300 (Act Art. 73).
• No plate, fake or borrowed plate: NT$1,200 to NT$3,600 to the owner (Art. 71-1).
• Under 14 riding: NT$600 to NT$1,200 (Art. 72-2).
• Over 25 km/h: NT$900 to NT$1,800 (Art. 72-1).

Not required is not a reasonA helmet that fits, sits level and is buckled is the simplest protection you have. Bring your own if you can: YouBike doesn't supply them, and rental shops vary.

Equipment: required and recommended

Required by law

• Keep brakes, bell, lights and reflectors complete and working; no unauthorized changes to the bike (Road Traffic Safety Rules Art. 119; owner fined NT$300 to NT$1,200 under Act Art. 72).
• Lights on when riding at night (Rules Art. 128; NT$300 to NT$1,200 under Act Art. 73).
• Electric-assist bicycles: type-approval label required; no changes to electronic controls (Act Art. 69-1, 71, 72).
• Micro electric two-wheelers: plate, insurance, helmet, minimum age 14 (see helmets).
• Carrying a child: approved bicycle and approved child seat with the approval mark (Rules Art. 122).

What we recommend

• A properly fitted bicycle helmet.
• White front light and red rear light, plus reflectors, even by day in tunnels.
• Bright or reflective clothing.
• Check brakes, tyre pressure, lights and seat height before every ride (YouBike's pre-ride checklist).
• A lock, spare tube or patch kit, pump, water and a phone with emergency numbers.

For a longer ride, add

• Two water bottles, more in summer and on the east coast where shops are far apart
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a light rain jacket
• A multitool, tire levers, two spare tubes and a mini pump, and know how to use them
• A charged phone with offline maps, plus a small battery pack
• Some cash: not every small shop takes cards

• Rules and safety
• Which bike for which ride