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Following is a question by the Hon Alice Mak and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, at the Legislative Council meeting today (February 12):
Question:
The Civil Engineering and Development Department is currently developing in phases a cycle track network running through New Territories East and New Territories West (covering places such as Ma On Shan, Sha Tin, Tai Po, Fanling, Sheung Shui, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan, etc.) with a total length of about 104 kilometres. However, some members of the public have pointed out that the authorities have not planned for similar cycle track networks on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon, thus hindering the public from cycling in the urban areas for recreational and short-distance travelling purposes. In connection with the development of cycle track networks, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the respective total lengths and locations of the cycle tracks in various District Council (DC) districts;
(2) whether various DCs made proposals to the authorities for providing additional cycle tracks in the DC districts concerned in the past three years; if they did, of the details of the proposals and whether the authorities had accepted them; if the authorities did not accept them, the reasons for that;
(3) of the current works progress of the provision of cycle tracks along the waterfronts in locations such as Kai Tak New Development Area, Tsuen Wan, southern part of the Tseung Kwan O Town Centre, northern part of Mui Wo, Central and Hong Kong Island East, with a breakdown by location;
(4) whether it conducted, in the past three years, any study on the feasibility of providing cycle tracks on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon (including waterfronts, except the locations mentioned in (3)); if it did, of the outcome of the study; if the study outcome is that it is feasible, of the implementation date; if no study has been conducted, the reasons for that; and
(5) whether it will improve its bike-friendly policies (including encouraging public transport operators to introduce measures to facilitate passengers in carrying their bicycles on board, as well as considering afresh the development of a large-scale public bicycle-hiring service), so as to promote the function of bicycles as a mode of transport; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Roads in Hong Kong's urban areas are usually narrow and crowded. As the standard width of a cycle track should at least be 3.5 metres, which is about the width of a traffic lane, it is difficult to find suitable space for building cycle tracks in urban areas without affecting traffic. There are also busy traffic and frequent loading and unloading activities in urban areas. Hence, due to road safety considerations, the Government does not encourage the public to use bicycles as a transport mode in urban areas. Compared with urban areas, the traffic flow density is relatively low in new towns or new development areas (NDAs), rendering these areas more suitable for cyclists to commute for short distance. The Government has therefore been striving to foster a bicycle-friendly environment in new towns and NDAs. We are conducting a comprehensive review of our cycling policies and will take reference from overseas experience. We hope to put forward policies and proposals to enhance the bicycle-friendly environment within this year.
My reply to the various parts of the Hon Alice Mak's question is as follows:
(1) At present, the length of cycle tracks in 18 districts adds up to about 219 kilometres. Their locations are listed at Annex I.
(2) In the past three years, the Government received a number of proposals from some district councils (DCs) regarding the provision of additional cycle tracks. Details of the DC members' proposals and the corresponding follow-up actions as provided by relevant departments are summarised at Annex II.
(3) According to the Development Bureau, the current works progress of the provision of waterfront cycle tracks in Kai Tak New Development Area, Tsuen Wan, southern part of the Tseung Kwan O Town Centre, northern part of Mui Wo, Central and Hong Kong Island East is set out at Annex III.
(4) As mentioned above, it is difficult to find suitable space for building cycle tracks in urban areas. Due to road safety considerations, the Government does not encourage the public to use bicycles as a transport mode in urban areas where traffic is busy. We will continue to provide cycle tracks and ancillary facilities at appropriate locations in new towns and NDAs to allow people to ride bicycles safely for short-distance travel or leisure purposes.
Meanwhile, we understand that the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) Authority will provide cycle tracks in the WKCD park for public use. The WKCD Authority will examine the specific designs of the cycle tracks in the detailed design stage.
(5) The Government encourages public transport operators to allow the carriage of bicycles on board provided that safety and passenger convenience are not compromised. Given that public transport is mainly used for carrying passengers and that about 90 per cent of the commuters travel by means of public transport, the operators have to set appropriate requirements for the carriage of bicycles by passengers having regard to the actual occupancy situation and passenger safety and convenience. Details of these requirements are set out at Annex IV.
Ends/Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Issued at HKT 12:45
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