遊行相關新聞彙整(留存備查‧4)

Taiwan News(Aug.29): ‘KINGS OF THE ROAD’ PUSH FOR ACCESS TO EXPRESSWAYS

Sized motorcycles still face considerable restrictions on where they can be used. Lawmaker Chen said even the large motorcycles had to remain in slow lanes and, unlike cars, were forbidden to turn left at large intersections. Because of this, yesterday’s bikers asked the government to allow motorcycles to travel freely in fast lanes, and on overpasses and expressways. However, officials from both the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and the Ministry of Finance were unwilling to make any promises.

Chuo Tsun-hsiang ( oi>e), an official from the MOTC’s Department of Railways and Highways, said the government had only recently lifted the ban on large motorcycles and had not yet drafted supporting regulations to address the issues brought up yesterday. He said the MOTC would take the protestors’ suggestions into consideration.

Chou Tsung-ming ()P)v>E), a section chief in the MOF’s Department of Taxation, defended his agency’s policies saying his agency had planned to lower taxes levied on the big motorcycles by between 30-50 percent, but the move was opposed by local governments.

Lawmakers and representatives of motorcyclists were unsatisfied with the officials’ response. The organizer of yesterday’s protest, Chen Feng-yun (/A’B), said if the government could not propose any plan for easing the discriminatory treatment the bikers’ received, they would organize a larger protest in three months.