Biking in Kaohsiung City / 鐵馬遊港都─7條自行車遊憩路線
Biking in Kaohsiung City
◎By Agnes Lin ◎Photos by Chung-Hui Pao
The City of Kaohsiung has currently constructed 105 kilometers of bike path next to the mountain, along the river, and around the city. They will continue to extend the length of the bike path to 180 kilometers by 2009. Therefore, biking has become one of the most pleasant ways to explore the city.
Traveling by bicycle is one of the best ways to visit Kaohsiung City sites because there are mountains, sea, and rivers and the bike paths that are more than 100 kilometers in length (and the length is still increasing) connect these sceneries into a healthy and interesting recreational network.
West Side Harbor Line Bike Path
5.6 kilometers
West Side Harbor Line Bike Path was adapted from an old railway line and is one of the best types of bike paths. The straight moving line, enough road width and the prior right of way make the path suitable for commuting and recreation. West Side Harbor Line Bike Path starts from Fisherman's Wharf and goes through the Pier-2 Art District and Love Pier to Glory Pier. Although the length is only 1.2 kilometers at present, the splendid view along the harbor and the great moving line still attract more people to join the cyclists' group. It will stretch to Singuang Rd. in the future and will connect Formosa Boulevard Bike Path and even Cianjhen River Bike Path and Cueihen Road Commuting Path. It will become the best bike path for commuting and recreation near the Port of Kaohsiung.
Comment by the Expert:
Even though West Side Harbor Line Bike Path and Love River Bike Path are linked together on the map, it's a pity that because of the difference of heights, the two paths can't be connected. If you want to go to Love River Bike Path through this path, it is suggested that you should take the sub-path to the parking lot on Gongyuan Rd. on the left before you go across Love River and then ride a short distance of Gongyuan Rd. to reach Love River Bike Path. This is the best way to go to the scenic spots along Love River.
Houjin Creek Bike Path
9.8 kilometers
Houjin Creek is the most northern river in Kaohsiung City. Its basin includes Nanzih District, Kaohsiung Metropolitan Park, National Kaohsiung Marine University, National University of Kaohsiung, Nanzih Industry Area, Houjin, Yuanjhonggang and more. The bike path along the river provides a bikeway for community residents to cycle for fun as well as for students and office personnel commuting. The completed bike path starts from Dehuei Bridge in the east and stretches west to Singjhong Water Gate, with two sides of the path along the riverbanks. The path goes north to connect to National University of Kaohsiung. In the near future, it will stretch east to Kaohsiung Metropolitan Park and Nanzih District and west to the estuary of Houjin Creek and Yuanjhonggang Wetland.
Comment by the Expert:
Houjin Creek Bike Path is more open and has fewer interruptions, making it an ideal sports bike path. In the future, as it connects Kaohsiung Metropolitan Park and Yuanjhonggang Wetland, the recreational function will be more complete and it will attract more visitors to cycle and appreciate the ecological environment.
Bike Path Connecting Love River and Lotus Pond
28 kilometers
Love River Bike Path is the longest bike path system in Kaohsiung. It starts from the estuary of Love River southward and reaches one end of Tiansiang Rd. northward. It connects Smile Park, Sinjhuang Rd., Railway Green Belt and reaches Indigenous Plant Garden. Across Cueihua Rd., the bike path around Lotus Pond has its own system. The route is long and many scenic spots are along the path. Thus it is the representative sightseeing bike path in Kaohsiung. Visitors can travel from the pier to Heart of Love River, Tzu Chi Community and Riverbank Community...etc. Traditional scenic spots such as Old Fongshan City North Gate, Spring & Autumn Pagodas, Dragon Tiger Tower, Confucius Temple and the ideal eco-reviving Jhouzih Wetland Park are all around Lotus Pond. The outdoor coffee shops along Love River, characteristic restaurants in Riverbank Community, and the traditional snack diners in Old Zuoying City Wall area are the energy supply depots along the path.
Comment by the Expert:
There is no doubt that the path is colorful and full of diverse scenic spots. All you have to worry about is if your feet strength is good enough. If you set off from Love River, after you arrive at Old Zuoying City Wall, you may choose to take Gushan Rd. and go southward from the South Gate. Although the road is not a bike path, there are few cars and the scenery is beautiful. Also, the Chaishan Park along the road connects to Love River Bike Path and forms a wonderful round route.
鐵馬遊港都─7條自行車遊憩路線
◎文／阿桂 ◎攝影／鮑忠暉
騎鐵馬是高雄最佳的遊玩方式之一。因為高雄擁有山、海、河、港，長達105公里的自行車道，串連成健康又有趣的遊憩網路（2009年可達180公里）。
西臨港線暢遊行
5.6公里
由舊鐵道改建，高雄西臨港線是自行車道中最好的類型之一，平直的動線，足夠的路幅，以及優越的路權，非常適合作為通勤及休閒用途。西臨港線目前由漁人碼頭經駁２特區、真愛碼頭，到光榮碼頭雖然只有1.2公里，但是臨港壯闊的景觀、優越的動線吸引更多人加入單車一族的行列，未來延伸到新光園道，就可以和美麗島大道，甚至與前鎮河自行車道、翠亨路通勤車道接軌，變成高雄港邊最佳的單車通勤、休閒路線。
達人小評：
地圖上西臨港線雖然和愛河自行車道是接在一起的，可惜的是因為高度落差而無法互相接軌。若要由本線接愛河自行車道，建議在過愛河之前先循左側通往公園路停車場的支線下來，走一小段公園路再接回愛河自行車道，才可以過渡到愛河沿線景點。
後勁溪暢遊行
9.8公里
後勁溪是高雄市最北邊的河流，流域涵蓋楠梓、都會公園、高雄海洋科技大學、高雄大學、楠梓工業區、後勁、援中港等。沿著河岸的自行車道則是社區親子休閒騎乘，或學生、上班族通勤取道之用。目前完成的部份東起德惠橋，西到興中閘門，河岸兩側雙線，再往北接高雄大學。將來東邊會延伸到都會公園及楠梓市鎮，西邊則延續到後勁溪出海口、援中港濕地。
達人小評：
後勁溪自行車道較為空曠、少干擾，是不錯的運動休閒路線，將來連接都會公園及援中港濕地則遊憩功能更完備，將可吸引更多人來騎乘自行車與觀察生態之旅。
愛河連接蓮池潭
28公里
愛河自行車道是高雄最長的單車道系統，南起愛河口，北到天祥路口，接續微笑綠園道、新莊路、鐵道綠帶，一直到原生植物園；而隔著翠華路的連池潭環潭自行車道則自成一格。不僅路線長，沿途經過的景點眾多，是高雄代表性的觀光自行車道。遊河碼頭、愛河之心、慈濟園區、河堤社區...；還有連池潭周邊舊城北門、春秋閣、龍虎塔、孔廟等高雄傳統景點，以及生態復育典範的洲仔濕地。而愛河露天咖啡、河堤社區個性餐飲，以及左營舊城小吃，更是沿路的精力補給站。
達人小評：
本路線豐富多元毋庸置疑，只需擔心自己腳力足不足夠。若由愛河出發，到達左營舊城，回程可以選擇在南門走鼓山路往南，這條路雖不是自行車道，但車少風景美，路旁的柴山公園，接回愛河自行車道，形成非常棒的環狀路線。