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Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hak-kan and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung,in the Legislative Council today (October 24):
Question:
It has been learnt that, since 2010, the Government has commenced works relating to the cycle track network in the New Territories (NT) to joint individual sections of the existing cycle tracks in the NT (including the sections from Ma On Shan to Sheung Shui, and from Sheung Shui to Yuen Long and Tuen Mun) so that cycling enthusiasts can ride bicycles travelling between the NT East and the NT West more safely. On the other hand, quite a number of members of the public have relayed to me that the cycle tracks in the NT are intermittent, causing great inconvenience to the users. This, coupled with the faulty designs of quite a number of these cycle tracks, has resulted in accidents of different scale. They hope that the aforesaid cycle track network can enhance the safety of these cycle tracks. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the specific progress of the aforesaid works to date, and the anticipated completion dates for the works of individual sections; whether there have been any delays in the works; if so, of the situation and reasons for such delays;
(b) of the improvement measures to be implemented by the Government to tackle the design problems of the existing cycle tracks, such as "long downhill roads", sharp bends and uneven surfaces, etc.; whether the aforesaid works have included works for tackling these problems; if so, of the details;
(c) of the respective numbers of bicycle accidents and resultant causalities in various districts in the past three years, broken down by District Council districts; whether it will consider according priority to implementing the improvement measures mentioned in (b) at those sections of the cycle tracks where the numbers of bicycle accidents are higher; and
(d) whether it will make reference to the practices of overseas cities in introducing a self-service bicycle hiring system in the cycle track network so that cyclists can hire and return bicycles at various points along the cycle tracks; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
The Government is developing the main sections of the cycle track network in the New Territories measuring some 82 kilometres (km), including the main section from Ma On Shan in the east and connecting via Sha Tin, Tai Po, Fanling, Sheung Shui and Yuen Long to Tuen Mun in the west, and the main section running from Tuen Mun to Tsuen Wan. Branching-off sections, with a total length of about 23 km, will also be developed, including new cycle tracks from Tuen Mun to Lung Kwu Tan, Ma On Shan to Sai Kung, and Yuen Long to Nam Sang Wai. The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) is carrying out the works in phases. The cycle tracks will pass through interesting spots in the New Territories, with resting stations provided at suitable intervals, to allow cyclists to take rest and enjoy the scenery. Entry/exit hubs will also be built in the vicinity of public transport interchanges for the provision of cycling facilities such as parking spaces, rental and repair kiosks, practising areas, first aid stations and information kiosks. The cycle track network in the New Territories is designed and constructed in accordance with the latest design guidelines for cycle tracks with due consideration to track curvature, gradient, width and visibility, and provided with transport supporting facilities, in order to enhance cycling safety.
My reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:
(a) CEDD is developing the main sections and branching-off sections of the cycle track network in phases.
The Ma On Shan to Sheung Shui section includes the construction of a 5 km-long new cycle track and improvement of the existing connecting tracks. The works commenced in May 2010 and are scheduled for completion in 2013.
The works from Sheung Shui to Yuen Long, Tuen Mun includes the construction of a 15 km-long new cycle track and improvement of the existing connecting tracks. The Administration is discussing with green groups on how to alleviate the environmental and ecological impact of the track alignment. To expedite progress, the Administration is considering proceeding first with the construction of the cycle tracks with less environmental and ecological impact, measuring about 2.5km in length. Construction works are scheduled to commence in 2013 for completion in 2017.
Regarding the main section from Tsuen Wan to Tuen Mun and other branching-off sections (such as from Ma On Shan to Sai Kung and from Yuen Long to Nan Sang Wai), works cannot commence as some diverse views on track alignment have been received from some local residents at Sham Tseng and Nam Sang Wai, or because their environmental impact assessments (EIAs) are more complicated. We will strive to complete the statutory EIA procedures and detailed design of the non-controversial sections as soon as possible. The Administration will also maintain communication with the stakeholders, respond proactively and strike a balance among various views as far as possible by, say, reviewing and amending the track alignment from Tuen Mun to Ting Kau, for early implementation of the whole New Territories cycle track network project.
(b) When developing cycle tracks, the Government will duly consider the track alignment, curvature, gradient, width and visibility, and provide adequate level of illumination, traffic signs, road markings and guard rails so as to protect the safety of cyclists and other road users. The Transport Department (TD) also examines the traffic condition at the existing cycle tracks from time to time and take into account views of the public, and if practicable, implement improvement measures. Examples are replacing metal speed reducing bollards with plastic collapsible bollards to lower the degree of injury resulting from accidental collision, and erecting advance warning signs such as "steep downward section" or "sharp deviation" to alert cyclists.
The TD has engaged a consultant to recommend measures for improving the existing cycle tracks and parking facilities in new towns. A series of recommended improvement measures is being carried out in Tai Po under a pilot scheme to test their effectiveness prior to extended implementation. Simpler improvement measures under the scheme are expected to be completed by late 2012 while more complicated ones by late 2013. Subject to the trial results, physical environment of individual areas and views of local residents, we will consider and determine the specific arrangements and priorities for extending the various improvement measures to other districts. All works of the New Territories cycle track network project will be designed and carried out in accordance with the latest design guidelines for cycle tracks. Improvement measures recommended by the aforesaid consultant will also be adopted after testing.
(c) The Government attaches great importance to cycling safety and has been closely monitoring the cycling activities of the public and the accident statistics. The numbers of bicycle accidents and the casualty figures in the past three years, broken down by District Council districts, are set out in Annex.
Based on the statistics, there were more cycling accidents in Sha Tin and Tai Po in recent years. The TD has engaged the aforesaid consultant to analyse the records of the bicycle accidents that occurred along the cycle tracks in the two districts, identify accident-prone locations and the causes and patterns of these accidents, so that focused and feasible improvement measures can be taken at the relevant locations to reduce the accident risk. We are now studying and formulating improvement measures, and the relevant improvement works are expected to be completed in stages from 2013 to early 2014.
The Government has all along been enhancing public awareness on cycling safety through such means as publicity, education and enforcement. Relevant measures include regularly organising activities on cycling education and safety, distributing promotional leaflets, and displaying banners and posters. In late 2011, the TD launched the Cycling Information Centre, an internet-based one-stop information platform, to provide the public with convenient access to cycling-related information, including locations of cycle tracks and parking places, cycling-related traffic signs and road markings with explanatory notes, safe cycling tips and relevant legislation. In addition, the TD produced a series of educational video entitled "Safe Cycling: Rules and Tips" in June 2012, presenting the important cycling rules, proper ways to choose and wear a helmet and safety gear, as well as the practical skills and tips for riding on cycle tracks and carriageways. The public can view the video via the internet, at schools and in other public places such as libraries.
(d) Currently, the public can hire bicycles for leisure and recreational purposes from private bicycle rental shops at a relatively low fee. These shops are mostly located near MTR stations in Sha Tin, Ma On Shan, Tai Wai, and Tai Po, and are close to cycle tracks. They should be able to meet cyclists' demand for hiring bicycles in general. The proposed entry/exit hubs of the cycle track network in the New Territories will also have rental and repair kiosks for cyclists to hire and return bicycles. At present, the Government does not have any plans to introduce a self-service bicycle hiring system similar to those in overseas countries.
Ends/Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Issued at HKT 13:05
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