Licensed abandoned motorcycles occupy free parking spots, used as 'Five Star' flag propaganda vehicles; councilor urges city government to amend regulations

Hsinchu City residents are facing a growing problem of abandoned motorcycles occupying valuable free parking spaces, exacerbating the already difficult search for parking. These vehicles, often appearing to be scrap metal with damaged seats and rusty bodies, are still equipped with license plates, preventing environmental authorities from treating them as abandoned waste and towing them away.

City Councilor Tsai Hui-ting highlighted that this loophole in current regulations is not only leading to a severe misuse of public parking resources but is also being exploited by certain individuals. These individuals are reportedly using the dilapidated, yet legally registered, motorcycles as long-term propaganda tools by affixing Chinese "Five Star" flags to them. This practice effectively turns public parking spots into free, indefinite display areas for political messaging, while depriving citizens of much-needed parking.

Tsai Hui-ting presented photographic evidence during a council session, illustrating the poor condition of these vehicles and the prominent display of the flags. She stated that both the police and environmental protection units are struggling to address the issue due to the lack of legal recourse. Currently, police can only contact the owners to "request they move the vehicle," but if owners are unresponsive or unreachable, the vehicles can continue to legally occupy parking spots.

The Hsinchu City Government's Transportation Department acknowledged the issue, stating that vehicles continuously parked in public spots for over 15 days, for which the owner cannot be contacted or fails to act promptly, will be relocated according to the "Hsinchu City Public Paid Parking Lot Management Self-Government Ordinance." The department also pledged to strengthen patrols and management to ensure parking order and effective use of public spaces.