Department of Sports, Taipei City Government

The Taipei City Department of Transportation announced that beginning January 1, 2026, riders must enroll in free public bicycle injury insurance before renting any YouBike in Taipei. The rule applies to all models, including YouBike 2.0 and YouBike 2.0E. Single-use rentals, which previously did not include injury insurance coverage, are now included so every user receives the same protection.

Officials explained that YouBike usage increased significantly after Taipei introduced free rides for the first 30 minutes in February 2024. Overall usage grew by more than 58 percent, with over 200,000 rides taken daily. Strengthening rider protection has therefore become necessary to improve safety and reduce risks from accidents.

The department also noted that insurance enrollment has already been required for YouBike 2.0E rentals since July 1, 2024, in cooperation with New Taipei and Taoyuan, because electric-assisted bikes travel faster and often cover longer distances. The policy proved effective, raising insurance enrollment among Taipei YouBike users from 78 percent in June 2024 to 90 percent by October 2025. The three cities now extend the requirement to all bikes for more complete coverage.

The government fully covers insurance premiums, and users pay nothing. Riders involved in accidents can apply for compensation through the insurer with medical documents in cases of death, disability, or hospitalization. Maximum compensation reaches NT$1 million, subject to regulations for riders under age 15.

The department reminded riders that injury insurance is personal coverage and requires real-name registration. Users should complete registration through either of the following channels as soon as possible:

Log in on the official YouBike website or the YouBike mobile app and enter the Public Bicycle Injury Insurance section to submit personal details.

Officials also reminded users that registration details, including ID number and birthdate, must match the actual rider to ensure eligibility for insurance claims.