Published: October 5, 2025
ZHONGHE, New Taipei City — A 37-year-old man surnamed Lin is facing more than NT$140,000 in fines after a reckless bicycle ride through Zhonghe District last night, which involved multiple traffic violations and police pursuit.
At around 9:00 p.m. on October 4, Zhonghe police patrolling the intersection of Minde Road and Hua’an Street noticed Lin riding a bicycle without a helmet. When officers attempted to stop him for questioning, Lin fled the scene. During the pursuit, he ran red lights, rode against traffic, ignored traffic signs, and engaged in other dangerous maneuvers, prompting the police to request support from the online police force. Lin was eventually stopped safely.
Investigations revealed that Lin had been attending a barbecue at a friend’s residence earlier in the evening and had consumed a few drinks. Concerned about the potential consequences of drunk driving, he tried to evade police inspection. A breathalyzer test showed a blood alcohol content of 0.02, which is below the legal threshold for intoxicated driving.
Despite being under the limit for alcohol, Lin’s actions on the road resulted in 29 traffic violations, including not wearing a helmet, disregarding traffic signals, riding against traffic, modifying his vehicle, and refusing inspection. Police confirmed that the total fines could reach NT$149,300, far exceeding what he would have faced for drunk driving.
Zhonghe police reminded the public that any dangerous driving behavior is punishable under the law, regardless of alcohol levels. They emphasized that traffic safety begins with self-discipline, urging citizens not to let moments of celebration turn into serious violations, fines, or regrets.