LCQ11: Management of bicycle parking spaces in public housing estates
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Question:
It is learnt that at present, quite a number of public housing estates (PHEs) in Hong Kong are provided with bicycle parking spaces for use by residents. However, some members of the public have from time to time relayed that the bicycles parked at such parking spaces have been damaged or even stolen. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the current number of PHEs provided with bicycle parking spaces and the number of bicycle parking spaces in each PHE; whether the Government has plans to review if such bicycle parking spaces are sufficient for use by residents based on the usage situation;
(2) of the total number of cases or complaints received by the Housing Department (HD) or the Police in the past five years about theft or criminal damage of bicycles parked at bicycle parking spaces in PHEs, and the number of PHEs involved;
(3) whether the HD has formulated specific guidelines and measures on the management of bicycle parking spaces, such as the frequency of inspections by security personnel and/or the number of surveillance devices, etc; if so, of the details; if not, whether it has plans to formulate the relevant guidelines and measures, so as to reduce the number of cases of bicycle theft or criminal damage; and
(4) given that the HD has earlier on launched "Well-being design" guide, which will serve as a reference for the future design of new PHEs and the improvement works of existing estates, and it is learnt that the newly completed Yip Wong Estate in Tuen Mun has adopted the "Health & Vitality" concept covered in the guide by placing the bicycle parking spaces near the Tuen Mun River cycle track so that residents can conveniently take their bicycles for cycling, whether the HD has plans to gradually review the management of bicycle parking spaces in various PHEs and apply the guide to older estates to enhance the quality of life of residents?
Reply:
President,
The reply to the question raised by Professor the Hon Lau Chi-pang is as follows:
(1) to (3) The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) currently provides about 22 000 bicycle parking spaces in 72 public housing estates to facilitate residents' temporary parking of their bicycles if necessary. The number of bicycle parking spaces in each public housing estate is at Annex. If the bicycles are not frequently used, residents should store their bicycles at home.
The Housing Department has established guidelines and measures for frontline estate management staff on the use and management of bicycle parking spaces in public housing estates. It also issues notices to remind residents of the rules for using the bicycle parking spaces. If any irregularities are observed, frontline management staff may take possession of the bicycles or properties placed or abandoned in the bicycle parking spaces. To assist daily estate management, estate management offices may install closed circuit television surveillance system at suitable locations taking into account the environment and situation in individual estate. If residents found their bicycles stolen or damaged, they should report the case to the Police or frontline estate management staff for follow up. The HA does not keep a central record of the number of theft and criminal damage cases or complaints related to bicycle parking spaces in public housing estates.
(4) In September 2024, the HA has published the "Well-being design" guide, which serves as a reference to the design of new public housing estates and the refurbishment works of existing estates in future. The "Urban Integration" well-being concept in the guide includes design suggestions fostering bicycle-friendly neighbourhoods. For example, in the newly completed Yip Wong Estate in Tuen Mun, the ingress and egress of the bicycle parking spaces are placed at a location that conveniently connects to the Government cycle track outside the Estate. Additionally, the bicycle parking area features distinctive mural decorations, making it easy for users to identify the location of their parking spaces. Apart from application of the "Well-being design" guide in new housing projects, the HA would also take into account the situation of individual public housing estate and the infrastructure in the neighbourhood, and introduce the same concepts to existing public housing estates to enhance the sense of well-being of the residents.
Ends/Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Issued at HKT 14:40
Issued at HKT 14:40
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