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Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (May 30):
Questions:
In recent years, I have incessantly received quite a number of complaints from residents in Tin Shui Wai that the cycling tracks in the district are not connected, and as some of them adjoin the exits of bus termini and pavements, cyclists may be endangered when buses enter and leave the termini, and cyclists are also forced to ride on the pavements, resulting in their violation of the law. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) in each of the past three years, the number of complaints received by the Government about the cycling tracks in Tin Shui Wai not being connected and the number of prosecutions instituted for illegal cycling in the district, as well as the details of the offences involved; and
(b) whether it will consider expediting the connection of the cycling tracks in Tin Shui Wai, so that the residents there can ride bicycles more safely, instead of walking; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
My reply to the two parts of the question is as follows -
(a) According to the information provided from the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau and Home Affairs Department, the number of complaints received in the past three years about the cycling tracks in Tin Shui Wai not being connected is set out in the table below:
2004 2005 2006
---- ---- ----
Cycling tracks not being connected 1 3 0
The Police does not have the breakdowns of the statistics on prosecution figures for cycling offences in Tin Shui Wai. For reference, the number of prosecutions against cycling offences and the main offences in Yuen Long district (including Tin Shui Wai) in the past three years are as follows:
Number of Prosecutions against Cycling Offences
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Offence 2004 2005 2006
------- ---- ---- ----
Cycling on pavement 960 698 778
Careless cycling 31 11 12
Carrying passengers 19 6 9
Failing to show the 7 1 2
required lights
Others 39 8 6
----- ---- ----
Total 1,056 724 807
(b) Having examined the cycling tracks in Tin Shui Wai thoroughly, Transport Department (TD) has found that certain sections of the cycling tracks in Tin Shui Wai are not connected as they are located at the entrance/exit of bus termini or the areas in the vicinity are occupied by other transport facilities such as Light Rail, footbridges, etc. Given the physical constraints, it is not feasible to connect these sections of the cycle tracks at the moment.
To improve the situation, TD has planned to extend the cycle track on the eastern side of Tin Shing Road near Tin Wing Road and to enhance the traffic signs, markings and facilities for 20 sections of cycle track in the district (see attached plan). The works is scheduled for completion by end of this year.
Ends/Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:40
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