The old Taiwan Sugar Railway bike path leading from Pingtung City to Changzhi and Linluo Township was reopened by the Pingtung City Government in February. Despite the “No Entry for Cars” signs, many drivers still mistakenly enter the path. County councilor Huang Mingxian and Pingtung City representative Fu Jianxiong discovered that Apple Maps directs vehicles to this route, leading to more confusion. They have decided to request Apple to remove this route from their navigation system. The Pingtung City Government has agreed to assist in canceling the route.
Originally, this bike path was a former railway used by Taiwan Sugar to transport sugarcane. It was converted into a bike path for recreational purposes, as it passes through three townships: Pingtung City, Changzhi, and Linluo. Due to its straight route, many motorcyclists use it as a key commuting route between Pingtung, Neipu, and Linluo.
In July of last year, a Mercedes-Benz mistakenly entered the path, damaging the bridge railing and getting stuck in a ditch. This incident raised issues regarding road management responsibility and compensation. Taiwan Sugar, the landowner, closed the road to traffic, causing public dissatisfaction. After negotiations, the Pingtung City Government took over management and installed signs prohibiting car entry in February to prevent further accidents. Motorcycles are not banned, as they serve public interest, but there are still incidents of cars crashing into railings every 2-3 months. To address this, the city government has installed reflective guardrails along the road to warn drivers.
Councilor Huang Mingxian and representative Fu Jianxiong found that Google Maps does not direct vehicles to this route, unlike Apple Maps. They plan to request Apple to remove this route from their navigation to prevent further confusion. The Pingtung City Government has pledged full cooperation in handling this matter.
Overall, the efforts to prevent cars from entering the Taiwan Sugar Railway bike path in Pingtung have been ongoing, with local officials and representatives working together to ensure the safety of all road users. The issue with navigation apps directing vehicles to this path highlights the importance of accurate mapping and the need for continuous monitoring and adjustments to prevent accidents and damage to the infrastructure.