Take a Bike Ride along the Love River with A-Kuei/ 跟著阿桂騎單車
◎Written by Yun-si Lin ◎Photos by A-Kuei and Chung-hui Pao
People can now enjoy the Love River in a whole new way. Kaohsiung City Government has created a new system of bike paths along Love River. These bike paths were built to promote environmental transportation and a feeling of community for cyclists. The bike paths begin at Lianchihtan(Lotus Pond)in the north and end at the of Love River in the south. The paths can be divided into five loops, each having distinct features and characteristics.
A-Kuei is the founder of the Formosan Serow Biking Club. He feels the Love River Bike Paths perfectly connect uptown and downtown with Kaohsiung's waterfronts. The scenic bike paths also allow for great access to the city's cultural and historic spots.
A-Kuei's favorite route is LOOP5. This route features many of Kaohsiung's scenic spots, for cyclists to enjoy. This loop begins at Jianguo Bridge and continues on to the Love Pier. A-Kuei likes this route because the path is wide, and the scenery is pretty. This route also features the Kaohsiung Music Center, the Museum of History, various coffee shops and the Kaohsiung Municipal Film Archive. The city also provides bike racks to lock up the bikes, so cyclists may stop in to visit the museums or other tourist spots along the way. Kaohsiung City Government has also designed the routes, so cyclists will have minimal stops and access to coffee shops. The bike paths are built out of colorful asphalt which is conducive to cycling. The bike path which crosses Wufu Road has been painted blue in order to ensure safety for the route.
The 1260 meter, rebuilt the West Side Harbor Line Rail Bridge, adjoins the Green Bike Path. This bike path leads to Pier-2 Art District and Fishman's Wharf. This picturesque route is lined with plants and flowers on both sides. Although this path is very scenic, A-Kuei reminds us "you have to be prepared to carry your bike down a ladder."
Cultural, Historical and Ecological Scenic Spots
LOOP4 runs from the north end of Jianguo Bridge to Jhongdu Bridge. This route was widened, yet still follows the original sidewalk and bike path. Corners were filled and the bike tunnel renovated. A-Kuei feels this sidewalk is a little bumpier than the other bike paths. A-Kuei loves the Love River Wetland Park under the Jiouru Bridge. Emanating nature, this bike path wraps around the City's waterfront.
The next bike path runs from the Former Tangrong Brick Kiln to the east end of Zihyou Road to Sanmin Park and the Love River. Although it goes through the center of the city, the trees and river, makes it especially quiet and beautiful. This route also boasts a number of art and cultural sites, including The Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts and The
Hakkanese Cultural Museum. This bike path runs beside the "Heart of the Love River"-Ruyi Lake which is presently under construction. Located at the corner of Boai and Tongmeng Road, this spot will become a great look for watching the Love River tour boats sail up and down and will also be the heart of Kaohsiung's flood prevention project.
The pedestrian overpass is a new addition and makes it much easier to traverse the river. This area is well lit and provides many bike racks to lock up the bikes. It has become a popular place for parents to come with their children.
The Riverside Community and its Activity Area
This bike path runs from Boai Road, back to Tongmeng Road. Passing by the Tzu Chi building on Zihyou Road, Dashun Road, and Mingcheng Road, it ends at the Riverside Community. This community hosts a number of activities during the holidays. This route also provides great access to the nearby shopping malls, which provide a number of venues for dining and shopping. Dashun Road is lined with arbors and chrysanthemums. Bike racks are being added to this area and lighting has been increased along the path. Ride northward across Tiansiang Road, you will reach LOOP1. A-Kuei especially recommends the park which was built after the Love River was renovated. A-Kuei particularly likes its large area of luscious green foliage and the smooth cycling path. This area is extremely safe to cycle in and suitable for families. This bike path passes by the Bureau of Human Resource Development, Kaohsiung's Indigenous Plant Garden, and ends at Lianchihtan (Lotus Pond).
The loop emphasizes Lotus Pond. This project has boosted community services and tourism. This 24.5 km long Love River Bike Path, not only boasts a number of cultural spot but also provides a great work out.
The Love River Bike Path is the one and only urban bike path system in Taiwan. A-Kuei feels these bike paths greatly increase cyclists' safety. It would also be appreciated if scooter and car drivers would respect cyclists' right-of-way and safety along the path. Cyclists are also reminded to be vigilant when going through intersections. The improvements will not only be beneficial for recreational cycling, but will also make it much more of a pleasure for commuters who choose to cycle to work and school.
About A-Kuei
Chou Meng-Kuei ／ Birthplace: Kaohsiung
Founder and leader of the Formosan Serow Biking Club
Publications: "The Routes Taiwan", "Biking Safari"
跟著阿桂騎單車 暢遊愛河自行車道
◎文／林昀熹 ◎攝影／周盟桂．鮑忠暉
愛河的美麗讓人不由自主想要親近，而親近愛河，現在有了更愜意、更動態的方式。高雄市政府在愛河沿岸精心規劃完整的自行車道系統，以人文、生態、社區鄰里為主軸，北接蓮池潭、南至愛河出海口，全系統分為五個迴圈(LOOP)，各迴圈有各自獨特的風情與特色。
高雄「長鬃山羊單車俱樂部」創辦人阿桂就說，愛河自行車道沿著愛河中游到下游，將自行車道和高雄的藍帶完整結合在一起，一路騎過來，不僅風景好，整個人文歷史的感覺也被串連起來，感覺很不錯。想要體會這種獨特的感受嗎？現在就騎上自行車，跟著阿桂一起暢遊愛河自行車道吧！
感受愛河繽紛魅力
就從阿桂最喜歡的LOOP5-觀光休閒景點區開始，這段迴圈從建國橋到真愛碼頭，沿途道路寬敞、景緻優美，還會經過音樂館、歷史博物館、親水公園、咖啡座與電影圖書館等人文景點，且全線都有自行車停靠設施，可以隨時停下來參觀博物館或賞景；同時市府也特別整合原本被交通節點、咖啡座所切割的動線，讓市民朋友可以從建國橋一路無阻地來到愛河出海口的真愛碼頭。
值得一提的是，建國橋至七賢橋一帶原有使用率較低的步道，被改為彩色瀝青鋪面的自行車道後，十分有舒適感，而穿越五福路口的自行車道，也以藍色的路面明顯區隔，增加了騎單車時的安全性。
另一方面，市府也將長約1260公尺的西臨港線鐵道橋改造成為綠廊自行車道，阿桂表示，這條自行車道自成一條很棒的動線，不但不用擔心公園路或五福路的車流，在沿路兩側植栽的陪伴下，可以到達駁二和漁人碼頭，進行愜意的港邊之旅，也讓這一段自行車旅程充滿懷舊又優美的鐵道意象。不過從光榮碼頭經由鐵道橋往真愛碼頭，阿桂說，需要將單車扛下階梯，要有點心理準備。
文史生態景觀與社區網絡休閒
從建國橋以北到中都橋，是LOOP4社區網絡休閒區，以原有的人行道與自行車道為基礎，將橋面與路旁的人行道加寬，並填補原本不利自行車行走的缺角、整修七賢國中附近之自行車隧道；阿桂表示，人行道的鋪面騎起來較為顛簸，但是動線相當順暢。
此外阿桂也特別喜歡九如大橋下的愛河濕地公園，擬自然的綠帶景觀、漂流木作的椅子，在維護良好的環境中感受得到自然的氣息。
而從中都窯廠往東走向自由路的這一段自行車道，沿著帶狀的三民一號公園以及愛河前行，雖然跨越市區中心，卻在連綿綠樹和河流相伴中顯得格外清幽。沿途不但環境舒適，更有美術館、客家文物館等藝文重鎮；目前博愛路與同盟路交叉口正在進行「愛河之心如意湖」建造工程，完工後將成為愛河溯航的樞紐，也具有防洪與觀光的功能。 此段車道也新設了景觀人行步橋，便利橫越河岸，同時也全面補足並改善原有自行車道的照明、解說設施與停車點，更加提升騎乘自行車的品質，因此很多親子都會利用假日在此活動。
河堤鄰里漫遊與社區後巷活動區
越過博愛路、回到同盟路的自行車道上，經自由路慈濟園區、大順路、明誠路，就會一路來到河堤社區，擁有三座光雕橋的河堤社區，假日有各種有趣的社區活動，附近還有購物商城，滿足餐飲、購物的需求；大順路沿途的優美喬木與黃花風鈴木，讓這段自行車旅程賞心悅目；全段沿途增設自行車停靠區、解說服務設施與夜間照明，讓大家都能安全地進行深度社區之旅。
往北過了天祥路，就是LOOP1社區後巷活動區，此區段中，阿桂特別推薦愛河支流加蓋後闢建的「SMILE綠園」，他說，這座公園的綠帶範圍廣，並且是封閉性的自行車騎乘空間，路面舒適、騎乘期間也安全，因此非常適合親子同遊；接著沿馬路旁規劃的自行車道經過公教人力發展局與原生植物園之後不知不覺就來到蓮池潭了！
此迴圈就是以與蓮池潭的相連接為重點，同時因沿線社區密集，特別強化社區服務連結、自行車道與通學動線結合，以及增設解說服務設施等，在觀光休閒功能外，也增加社區服務的功能。
長達24.5公里的愛河自行車道一趟騎下來，不但感受得到各種不同的人文風情，如果不停留，還可達到運動效果，也可以選擇其中一、兩個喜愛的迴圈做短時間的單車休閒。
愛河自行車道是全國獨一無二的都會自行車系統，阿桂表示，有自行車道的規劃就代表自行車騎士的路權與安全越來越受到重視，希望騎機車或開車的駕駛朋友能夠尊重自行車騎士的路權，不要占用自行車道，尤其是各種車道交會口更是要注意安全，配合自行車道路面加強改善，想必未來除了休閒，自行車道也將是通勤族的天堂。
阿桂小檔案
周盟桂／高雄人
「長鬃山羊單車俱樂部」創始人與領隊
著作：《路徑─台灣單車路線全集1》、《中南半島28天》