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Following is a question by the Hon Lee Wing-tat and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (November 16) :
Question:
As cycling is a form of exercise conducive to physical and mental health, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the numbers, names and routes of cycling tracks provided in the urban and country park areas respectively;
(b) whether there is any plan to provide more cycling tracks in the above areas; if so, of the details of the plan; if not, the reasons for that; and
(c) whether there is any plan to step up publicity to the public, so as to encourage them to cycle to and from their work places and take it as a form of exercise?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) There are currently one cycling track in the urban area and nine cycling tracks within country parks. Their names and alignments are shown at Annex 1 and Annex 2 respectively.
(b) As traffic flow within the urban area is high, we consider it unsuitable to expand the role of bicycles as a transport mode for road safety reasons. Therefore, we have no plan to provide more cycling tracks in the urban areas at the moment.
Since there are already a number of cycling tracks within country parks, we currently have no plan to provide more cycling tracks in country parks. However, we will continue to examine whether additional cycling tracks should be provided in country parks taking into consideration such factors as visitors' safety, environmental impact and the demand for cycling facilities.
(c) For reasons of road safety, we do not encourage members of the public to commute to their places of work by cycling. Regarding promoting and encouraging cycling as a form of physical exercise, cycling associations have been making a great effort in promoting various cycling activities including organization of training courses on safe cycling for members of the public. For example, the Hong Kong Cycling Association has organised nearly 10 training courses for youngsters in the past two years. Moreover, the Administration, through the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will continue to provide sponsorship to the organizations concerned for organizing different cycling activities for participation by the public. More than 300 events have been organised in the past two years.
Other than the provision of cycle tracks, the Administration, through LCSD, also provides other cycling facilities at nine locations to promote safe cycling and provide a safe cycling environment for use by the public. The nine locations are: Morrison Hill Road Playground, Quarry Bay Park, Carpenter Road Park, Kung Lok Road Playground, Wu Shan Recreation Playground, Tsuen Wan Park, Siu Lek Yuen Road Playground, Lai Chi Kok Park and Sha Tin Road Safety Park.
Ends/Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:49
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