One thing I've failed to mention over all these years is just how careful you have to be on small alleys and sidewalks. Yes scooters can get you in both places, but another danger are stores. Because Taipei is so cramped and space is at a premium, many stores will use the area in front of their shop for a variety of things.
Just today while walking my dog I passed by or through...
1. A scooter repair shop that does all it's repairs on the sidewalk.
2. Some restaurant hanging it's meat in bags in the alley.
3. A vegetable oil storage facility that has a conveyor built that crosses over the sidewalk.
4. A sign shop that uses blowtorches on the sidewalk as well as storing stacks of metal there.
5. Some guy sawing a furniture into pieces on the street.
6. Several restaurants which not only have tables and chairs on the sidewalk but have their stoves and deep friers right on the sidewalk as well.
It really is a jungle out there, and you have to be careful not to get hit, burned, run over, trip, or step on a variety of sharp objects on the ground. Not only this but you have to keep an eye out for other people's things as well. Many people put their clothes and foods out in the street to dry. And like the picture above there will be some fragile things outside too. Many stores will put their wares out on the sidewalk, so you have to be careful not to knock over a tv, some antique furniture, or for some reason in the case of this place, several glass trophies on an unstable table.
If you have a mind like me, than to answer what you are thinking...yes there is insurance. So now i'm getting a new perspective on all of this, shops leave delicate things outside to get knocked over and then collect the insurance money. I guess somehow they are able to make a profit despite the amount of times they must get sued for some pedestrian tripping over some tools on ground at the scooter repair shop and falling eyeball first into the corner of a tv at the electronics store next door.
