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Police will conduct a territory-wide publicity campaign on safe cycling from tomorrow (29 October) to November 6 to raise public awareness of cycling safety.
Police officers will distribute publicity leaflets at traffic accident blackspots involving bicycles as well as shops where bicycles are commonly used for delivery. To tie in with the publicity campaign, a Safe Cycling Carnival will be held at King Lam Estate, Tseung Kwan O, between 2.30pm and 4.30pm tomorrow with a view to promoting safe cycling messages to cyclists and the public.
Following the publicity campaign, the Police will conduct a territory-wide enforcement operation between November 7 and 13 to take stringent actions against cycling offences.
Police figures show that there were 1,667 traffic accidents involving bicycles, resulting in 1,577 cyclist casualties between January and September 2011. The figures represent an increase of 17 per cent and 20 per cent respectively when compared with 1,419 traffic accidents and 1,315 cyclist casualties during the same period of 2010. As at the end of September this year, 14 cyclists died, an increase of six when compared with the same period of last year.
A Police spokesman said: "Once on the road, cyclists are obliged to obey all traffic laws which apply to drivers and are subject to the Road Traffic Ordinance. They should also take care of other road users."
Common cycling offences include failing to comply with traffic signs or road markings, riding bicycle on the pavement, carrying another person, carrying any animal or article which obstructs the cyclist's view, and riding without illuminating necessary lights.
The spokesman reminded the public that traffic accidents could be fatal and urged cyclists to obey road traffic regulations and to pay attention to road safety.
Police Report No. 117
Ends/Friday, October 28, 2011
Issued at HKT 11:40
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