President Ma Ying-jeou met with International Cycling Union (UCI) President Patrick McQuaid at the Presidential Office on the afternoon of March 19. The president explained to Mr. McQuaid Taiwan's desire to increase international cooperation in cycling sports.
The president noted that Mr. McQuaid was re-elected recently as president of the UCI, and in February of this year was elected to the International Olympic Committee. President Ma expressed his sincerest congratulations to Mr. McQuaid in this regard.
President Ma commented that Taiwan is one of the world's largest manufacturers of bicycles and hopes that in the future cycling here will become one of the nation's foremost recreational activities. Taiwan, he said, has held the Tour de Taiwan for the past 21 years now, creating a foundation for international interaction and cooperation in cycling. In the future, he said, Taiwan would like to become a much more important stop on the UCI Asia Tour. The president furthermore said that he personally is a cycling enthusiast. He said he owns three bicycles, adding that three years ago he cycled a 675-kilometer route that took him from the southern tip of Taiwan to the island's northern tip. President Ma said that while this perhaps does not compare to the distance that people cycle in the Tour de Taiwan, it does demonstrate his love for the sport.
President Ma stressed that about 1,100 kilometers of bicycle paths exist throughout Taiwan. In the coming years the government intends to allocate even more funds to construct about 1,500 kilometers of bicycle paths. This indicates the importance that the government places on cycling, he said. The president also remarked that next year marks the centenary of the ROC and that all types of athletics-related celebratory activities will be held here. He said he hopes that cities and counties throughout Taiwan will hold cycling competitions, which will highlight the government's determination to establish Taiwan as a global hotbed for cycling. President Ma expressed his hopes that the UCI and Mr. McQuaid will participate in these important celebrations and understand Taiwan's deep interest in strengthening international cooperation in cycling. The president said he hopes these activities will also help interest even more people to become involved in cycling.