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Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, in the Legislative Council meeting today (June 13):
Question:
Recently, several serious traffic accidents involving bicycles have occurred successively in Tseung Kwan O, arousing public concern. In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:
(a) of the number of traffic accidents involving bicycles which took place in Tseung Kwan O in each of the past three years, together with a breakdown by the locations at which such accidents occurred and the casualties involved;
(b) of the measures to improve the situation that the cycling tracks in the district are not connected; whether they will consider, by drawing reference from the design of the cycling tracks in Sha Tin, linking up various cycling tracks in the district by constructing footbridges and subways with cycling tracks, so that members of the public do not need to cycle on carriageways, thereby reducing the danger to which they are exposed; and
(c) given that currently, members of the public travel to and from different housing estates in the district mainly by cycling, whether the authorities will enhance the public transport services in the district, such as by providing additional circular bus routes?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) In 2004, 2005 and 2006, there were 41, 37 and 23 traffic accidents involving bicycles respectively in Tseung Kwan O. Out of these traffic accidents, 45, 45 and 26 injuries respectively were involved, and no fatality was recorded. A breakdown of these accidents by location is set out as follows :
Number of traffic accidents
involving bicycles
in Tseung Kwan O
2004 2005 2006
Area No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of
cases injuries cases injuries cases injuries
Hong 3 3 1 1 1 1
Sing/
Tsui
Lam
Po Lam 14 14 5 8 7 9
Hang Hau 12 16 6 7 7 7
Tseung 10 10 13 14 6 7
Kwan O
Central
Tiu Keng 2 2 12 15 2 2
Leng
Total 41 45 37 45 23 26
(b) The road network and public transport system in Hong Kong are well developed. The general road traffic is heavy and road space is limited. Based on road safety and traffic considerations, we do not encourage the use of bicycles as a transport mode in the urban areas under the existing policy. As for the proposal of constructing additional footbridges and subways with cycling tracks in Tseung Kwan O, we will within our policy remit consider the provision of separate crossing facilities for bicycles on a case-by-case basis, provided that it is technically and geographically feasible and that resources are available.
(c) At present, residents in Tseung Kwan O can travel to and from different locations in the district by the Mass Transit Railway (MTR). The MTR Tseung Kwan O Extension ("TKOE") has four stations in the district, viz. Po Lam Station, Hang Hau Station, Tseung Kwan O Station and Tiu Keng Leng Station. The TKOE's catchment area covers most of the developed areas in the district. In addition, residents in Tseung Kwan O can take the eight green minibus routes and six franchised bus routes to travel between different housing estates and community facilities in the district.
As mentioned above, residents are provided with various public transport services for travelling within the Tseung Kwan O district. The Transport Department will continue to monitor the situation and will adjust and improve the public transport services in the district as necessary in response to the developments of Tseung Kwan O and the transport demand of the residents.
Ends/Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:45
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