LegCo to debate motion on formulating bicycle-friendly policy
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The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (June 14) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on formulating a bicycle-friendly policy and designating bicycles as a mode of transport.
The motion, moved by Mr Hui Chi-fung, states: "That this Council urges the Government to designate bicycles as a mode of transport and expeditiously formulate a bicycle-friendly policy for Hong Kong to encourage the public to commute by bicycles in urban and rural areas, so as to achieve the objectives of improving roadside air quality and promoting low-carbon transport; specific measures under the policy include:
(1) reserving lands for the construction of cycle tracks when undertaking urban renewal, so as to perfect the urban cycle track networks;
(2) adding cycle tracks with integrated usage of transport, leisure and sports to new harbourfront development projects;
(3) providing additional bicycle parking spaces in the whole of Hong Kong, and in particular, adding public bicycle parking spaces and relevant ancillary facilities to government buildings and premises of public organisations;
(4) exploring the addition of a provision to the terms of Government leases and conditions of sale, requiring the inclusion of bicycle-related ancillary facilities in new development projects;
(5) revising the content of the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines concerning bicycle facilities, and altering the design of roadside gutter covers, so as to foster a bicycle-friendly environment;
(6) launching a pilot scheme of providing 'bicycles only' lanes or 'inclusive traffic' lanes on the non-major trunk roads of urban areas;
(7) having regard to the premise of pedestrian safety, permitting the use of bicycles on designated pavements with spacious area;
(8) exploring the legalisation of motor-driven bicycles;
(9) stepping up publicity and education to instill in the public the knowledge about sharing roads with cyclists and include the content of sharing roads with cyclists in the syllabus of driving tests, so as to enhance motorists' awareness of the related information;
(10) further relaxing the existing restrictions on people travelling on public transport with bicycles;
(11) encouraging and assisting the development of the bicycle-sharing and self-service bicycle hiring industries; and
(12) reviewing cycle track management and signage design in the territory to ensure their compliance with international standards."
Mr Luk Chung-hung, Mr Chan Han-pan, Dr Yiu Chung-yim and Mr Charles Peter Mok will move separate amendments to Mr Hui Chi-fung's motion.
Dr Chiang Lai-wan will move a motion on advocating the establishment of a "baby fund". The motion states: "That children of the new generation are our successors in future society and we in this generation should endeavour to properly pave the way for them to enter the workforce; in this connection, this Council urges the Government to, through different forms of financial assistance, including making reference to the practices adopted by the existing Child Development Fund and the many overseas sustainable growth funds with savings elements, establish for newborns a sustainable and cumulative 'baby fund' consisting of joint savings by the Government, families and third parties (such as relatives and friends of the fund holders); the fund should be used mainly for further studies, home acquisition and coping with critical illnesses, and can be combined with retirement protection, so that children can develop the habit of keeping personal savings at a tender age to make preparations for the future; the fund also allows children from families with different financial situations to have more opportunities of upward mobility, thereby narrowing the disparity between the rich and the poor and alleviating cross-generational poverty, so that they will be hopeful in their upbringing, more confident when entering the workforce, and more positive and optimistic in facing the future."
Mr Ho Kai-ming and Mr Shiu Ka-chun will move separate amendments to Dr Chiang Lai-wan's motion.
Mr Leung Che-cheung will move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Waterworks (Amendment) Regulation 2017 laid on the table of the Council on May 24, 2017 to the meeting of July 12, 2017.
Mr Wong Ting-kwong will move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Notice 2017 laid on the table of the Council on May 24, 2017 to the meeting of July 12, 2017.
Ms Starry Lee will move a motion under Rule 49E(2) of the Rules of Procedure. The motion, states: "That this Council takes note of Report No. 20/16-17 of the House Committee laid on the Table of the Council on June 14, 2017 in relation to the Promotion of Recycling and Proper Disposal (Electrical Equipment and Electronic Equipment) (Amendment) Ordinance 2016 (Commencement) Notice 2017."
On bills, the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017, the Chinese Medicine (Amendment) Bill 2017 and the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants (Amendment) Bill 2017 will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bills will be adjourned.
Members will also resume the Second Reading debate on the Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2016, the Arbitration and Mediation Legislation (Third Party Funding) (Amendment) Bill 2016 and the Cross-boundary Movement of Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments Bill. If the Bills are supported by Members and receive their Second Reading, they will then go through the Committee stage and be read the third time.
On motions, the Secretary for Transport and Housing will move a proposed resolution under the Public Bus Services Ordinance to seek the Council to approve that the franchise granted on March 28, 2017 under section 5 of the Public Bus Services Ordinance (Cap. 230) to The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (九龍巴士(一九三三)有限公司) is not subject to sections 27, 28, 29 and 31 of that Ordinance for the entire period of the franchise.
The Secretary for Food and Health, Mr Shiu Ka-fai and Dr Fernando Cheung will move a total of five proposed resolutions under section 34(2) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to amend the Smoking (Public Health) (Notices) (Amendment) Order 2017.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice will make two requests under section 7 of the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance (Cap. 382) and Rule 90 of the Rules of Procedure for special leave of the Council to give evidence of Council proceedings.
Members will also ask the Administration 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Please note that the agenda is subject to change, and the latest information about the agenda could be found on the LegCo Website.
Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. They may reserve seats by calling 3919 3399 during office hours. Members of the public can also watch or listen to the meeting via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website.
Ends/Monday, June 12, 2017
Issued at HKT 21:03
Issued at HKT 21:03
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