TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Starting next year, the Taiwan government will subsidize the installation of, or purchase of a new scooter or motorcycle with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) or a combined braking system (CBS), reported CNA.

Wang Kwo-tsai (王國材), Acting Minister of Transportation and Communications said that the government will contribute NT$4,000 (US$130) to equip or buy a vehicle with ABS, and NT$1,000 for CBS.

Earlier this month, the government announced that from Jan. 1, 2019, all new scooters sold in Taiwan are required to be equipped with ABS, in a bid to lower fatalities from vehicle accidents. The following day and amid concern over the increased cost of new scooters, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) postponed the policy until 2021, and canceled it outright today.

Wang told CNA that the subsidy will be available for two years, and exclusively for scooters and motorcycles with an engine capacity of 125cc or less.

The subsidy is expected to cover around half the cost of the safety systems, and the government has put aside NT$300 million in total.

The cash subsidy will be transferred to an individual after an application is made with the MOTC.

Wang said the subsidy is designed to help minimize the financial burden of safety.

The program is currently awaiting implementation by the Executive Yuan.

According to the MOTC, the European Union and Japan implemented laws making ABS systems mandatory in 2016 and 2017 respectively.