A delivery rider's motorcycle may cover more kilometres each day than a typical commuter's bike. A quick glance before setting off may not reveal tyre or brake problems. Taiwan's Highway Bureau is running a Motorcycle Safety Station campaign this year, with participating motorcycle shops offering free safety checks from September through December. For delivery riders, this is an opportunity to have a mechanic inspect the bike. However, a free inspection does not mean all repairs and replacement parts are free. Confirm the scope before visiting.
Through the end of December: find a participating station and confirm its services
In its October 1 announcement, the Highway Bureau's Taipei Motor Vehicles Office said that more than 7,000 motorcycle shops nationwide, including over 1,100 in New Taipei City, were participating. These shops offer free motorcycle safety checks from September through December. Riders should look for the Motorcycle Safety Station banner or campaign poster and consult the participating-shop list on the Highway Bureau's Road Safety Month website. These figures describe participation when the announcement was issued. They do not mean that every motorcycle shop is taking part or that an immediate inspection is always available.
Before a shift, look up participating shops in your area and ask whether campaign inspections are available that day, whether there is a wait and how long the inspection is likely to take. If you already have an order, do not increase road risks by rushing to a shop. Visit between orders or outside a shift, allowing time for any repairs that may be needed.
What is checked for free? Separate the four checks from repairs
The Taipei Motor Vehicles Office lists four areas for the free inspection (tyres, lights, lubricating oil and brakes). The Highway Bureau's Road Safety Month release also notes that tyre inspections include tread condition. Ask the mechanic to show you the findings: any unusual tread or surface wear, whether the lights work, whether the brakes need further attention and whether the oil needs servicing. If a finding is unclear, ask to see the problem rather than relying on a vague assurance that the bike is still rideable.
The announcement offers four safety checks (free of charge); it does not say that replacement tyres, brake parts, oil changes or other repairs are all free. If repairs are recommended, ask what work is proposed, why it is needed and what it will cost before authorising it. You can also record the recommendation and arrange another visit, provided the motorcycle is safe to ride. If an inspection reveals an immediate safety problem, having just one more delivery to finish is no reason to keep riding.
A reported case: a tyre inflation visit revealed tread below the wear indicator
On October 1, the Kaohsiung City Motor Vehicles Office reported a case from a participating safety station. A delivery rider had visited only to inflate a tyre, but a mechanic's further inspection found that the tread was below the wear indicator and recommended replacement. This was one case reported by the office, not evidence that every delivery rider's motorcycle is in the same condition. The lesson is that tyre pressure, tread condition and braking performance require different checks: inflating a tyre does not reverse tread wear.
Your own pre-shift checks and a mechanic's campaign inspection can complement each other. The former can reveal obvious problems before you leave; the latter gives a professional another opportunity to inspect four key areas. If grip while turning seems worse, the brakes feel unusual or the lights are unreliable, especially in rain, frequent stop-start traffic or long shifts, stop somewhere safe and arrange an inspection. Do not wait until your next routine service to mention it.
Keep a record of the inspection
Before leaving the shop, use your phone to record the date, shop, problems identified by the mechanic and recommended follow-up. If work was carried out, keep the itemised details and receipt separately. This is a practical way to track your motorcycle's condition, not a mandatory campaign requirement. If symptoms recur or you want to compare repair recommendations, the record will show what was found at the previous inspection.
Sources and verification date
- Highway Bureau, Taipei Motor Vehicles Office: free Motorcycle Safety Station checks through the end of December (October 1, 2026)The
- Highway Bureau, Kaohsiung City Motor Vehicles Office: a safety station identifies worn tyres on a delivery rider's motorcycle (October 1, 2026)The
- Highway Bureau, 2026 Road Safety Month website: participating motorcycle shopsThe
The official information above was checked on October 15, 2026. Participating shops and service arrangements may change. Before visiting, check the current information on the Highway Bureau website and with the participating shop.
