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Following is a question by the Hon James To and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (June 4):
Question:
The Cycling Study Final Report which was published by the Transport Department in 2004 recommended that the expansion of the role of cycling was not advisable at that point in time due to poor underlying safety conditions (including the physical constraints in Hong Kong and cyclists' riding habits) then. However, according to the information on the web site of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), the Government will connect various scattered cycle tracks in the New Territories to form New Territories Cycle Track Network. CEDD has earlier also recommended that a waterfront cycle track be constructed in Tseung Kwan O along the Cross Bay Link which is under planning. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it will make reference to the above recommendation of CEDD and consider constructing more cycle tracks in new development areas, such as the West Kowloon Reclamation, when planning for such areas, so as to enhance the role of bicycle as a supplementary mode of transport;
(b) whether it plans to construct cycle tracks along the Hung Hom waterfront and various waterfront promenades under planning;
(c) given that Beijing municipal authority has recently subsidised private organisations to provide cycle rental service outside many underground railway stations in the municipality, in order to alleviate traffic congestion and air pollution problems in the central business district, whether the Government will make reference to such arrangement and similar policy directions adopted overseas, and explore making similar arrangements in Hong Kong; and
(d) in view of the above plan for improving the cycle track network in the New Territories, whether the Government has conducted any study on developing cycling tourism?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) As 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 considerations, we do not encourage the use of bicycles as a transport mode in the urban areas. Nevertheless, in planning new towns and new development areas, the Government will consider the feasibility of providing cycle tracks and related ancillary facilities for leisure, recreational and tourism purposes as appropriate.
At present, the Kai Tak Planning Review proposes that a cycle track of some 6,600 metres in length be constructed to link up a multi-purpose stadium complex and various tourist attractions for leisure and recreational purposes.
As regards the West Kowloon Reclamation, most of the planning and construction projects for the major sites (including roads and pedestrian linkages) in the district are near completion and currently there is no plan to build cycle tracks. However, the detailed planning for the West Kowloon Cultural District has not yet been finalised. After the establishment of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, the Authority will take up this task and prepare a development plan for the district in accordance with the development parameters set out in the Outline Zoning Plan. In preparing the development plan and conducting related public consultation, the Authority will consider the land use and the associated facilities in the district.
The Government will also consider the provision of a comprehensive network of walkways, cycle tracks and associated facilities during the planning and the related engineering studies for the new development areas of the New Territories North.
(b) There is no plan to construct cycle tracks at the planned Hung Hom Waterfront and other waterfront promenades along the Victoria Harbour. However, in the Hong Kong Island East Harbour-front Study anticipated to be launched in end-2008, the Government will examine the feasibility of providing cycling facilities along the waterfront for leisure and recreational purposes.
(c) Hong Kong is densely populated. To strike a balance between the need to alleviate traffic congestion and air pollution, we have all along been actively pursuing the policy of having the public transport system as the main transport mode and encourage the public to make use of the mass public transport system and other public transport services. Railway is the backbone of our transport system, with franchised buses and public light buses providing feeder services to the railway network. Besides, we have also implemented the "park-and-ride" scheme to encourage motorists to park their vehicles and take the railways to their destinations through the provision of concessions on parking facilities at railways stations or public transport interchanges at the fringe of busy business districts areas. As set out in part (a) of our reply, based on road safety considerations, we do not encourage the use of bicycles as a transport mode in the urban areas. At this stage, we do not plan to study bicycles as a transport mode for feeder mode to railway stations. However, in planning new towns and new development areas, the Government will consider the feasibility of providing cycle tracks and related ancillary facilities for leisure, recreational and tourism purposes as appropriate.
(d) The Government has been in close communication with the tourism industry and the Hong Kong Tourism Board on this subject. Visitors on cycling trips generally require well-planned cycling routes linking various attractions, or integrating with nearby attractions to form a cluster of attractions. Safety is fundamental to a well-developed cycling route, along which complementary facilities and services, such as safety and sanitary facilities, signage and convenient cycle rental services, etc. In the light of the progress of the plan for improving the cycle track network in the New Territories and the development of local complementary facilities, the Government will, in collaboration with the tourism industry and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, study the demand for cycling tourism in Hong Kong's major source markets and the feasibility of developing cycling tourism.
Ends/Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Issued at HKT 12:40
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