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Survey of Legco candidates’ views on cycling

September 6th, 2012 | Posted by wheeliefine in advocacy | bike safety | cycle tracks | environmental | general cycling | Harbourfront Cycleway | law | transport | transport - (0 Comments)

HKCAll has surveyed candidates in Sunday’s (9 Sept) elections for the Legislative Council for their views on cycling.

The results show that many strongly support the substantive development of cycling for Hong Kong.  Some are better informed than others, but this is an important time for progress in many areas, with important decisions being made about key development projects, such as West Kowloon, Kai Tak and Northern District, as well as the sluggish development of the New Territories Cycling Network.  Moreover, we believe that now is the time to address the yawning policy void that the government has with regards to cycling.

It is vital that the new Legco is able to press our government to implement the visionary policies we need if Hong Kong is to properly serve the increasing number of cyclists of all stripes, and more importantly to justify its ‘world city’ label with planning and administration that integrates cycling, to ease traffic congestion, facilitate personal mobility, improve the quality of our environment (air pollution, noise pollution, excessive concrete and roads) and raise health and wellness levels for our whole population.

See what the candidates had to say.

 

 

 

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Drivers’ employers are at the wheel

August 23rd, 2012 | Posted by wheeliefine in motorists | transport | transport - (0 Comments)

It’s often been my experience that drivers of large trucks are more professional than those in PSVs (public service vehicles – ones that carry passengers).  They are more aware of us, less aggressive and especially much more conciliatory when you talk to them after an ‘incident’.  I get the clear impression that they know they’ll be in big trouble from their employers if you escalate a complaint.

Which makes me wonder how we might work through bus companies and other organisations to influence the behaviour of the drivers they employ.  Drivers of minibuses and taxis, not to mention smaller vans, may be less constrained by employers than those of large good vehicles and companies that value their public profile. Bus companies should be able to closely manage their drivers, but don’t always seem to.

Do you agree?  Are drivers from some types of employer more considerate / less aggressive?  Could we show that certain groups of drivers who are more closely managed drive better, and hence put pressure on other organisations (eg. bus companies) to make their drivers perform better around cyclists?

Is it irresponsible to wear earphones while cycling?

July 14th, 2012 | Posted by wheeliefine in bike safety | general cycling - (0 Comments)

Who hears more of the traffic buzz – a driver using his in-car music system or a bike rider using an iPod and earphones?  Cyclists are often criticised for listening to music as they ride.  It turns out that they likely hear much more of the road environment than a car driver does, even when that driver has no music playing.

It does depend on what kind of earphones you use, and of course the music volume.

But a driver who has the stereo playing certainly hears less of what’s going on than any cyclist listening to music.  (And of course, not mentioned in this research, is that the driver also sees less, because of his vehicle blind spots.)

RideOn, “Australia’s most widely-read bike magazine”, did the research.

 

 

 

 

 

運輸署全新單車安全短片 TD releases new cycling safety video

May 30th, 2012 | Posted by wheeliefine in bike safety | cycle tracks | equipment | general cycling | law | Transport Department - (0 Comments)

運輸署剛剛發佈了新一段「單車安全」短片。此14分鐘短片將在各學校及警署、車輛牌照事務處等政府場地巡迴播放。

網上版本共分為6段：裝備、騎單車基本技巧、實戰篇–單車徑上、實戰篇–馬路上、駕駛者須知、行人須知。

訴說本同盟會對影片意見之前，何不由你來評論？

Chinese version

The Transport Department has just released a new ‘Cycling Safety’ video.  It’s 14 minutes long and will be shown in schools and at government offices open to the public, such as vehicle licensing centres and police stations.

This online version is split into six sections: Equipment, Basic Skills, Riding on Cycle Tracks, Riding on the Road, For Motorists and For Pedestrians.

Rather than telling you what we think of it, immediately, why not take a look and tell us your view?

English version

Cycling is now part of core Government policy

March 31st, 2012 | Posted by wheeliefine in law | transport | Transport Department - (0 Comments)

.. in the UK.

Already the location of many exciting local and national cycling initiatives, the United Kingdom is taking further steps to ensure that cycling maintains a central role in development across the country.  The transport minister responsible for cycling (sigh .. here in Hong Kong, our government won’t even acknowledge that cycling *is* transport) has emphasised that cycling is “mainstream transport policy” and is coordinating the integration of cycling-enabled environment in all areas.

Read all about it here.

Cyclists not the cause of accidents

March 28th, 2012 | Posted by wheeliefine in bike safety | law - (0 Comments)

While drivers and bureaucrats like to imagine that cyclists have accidents because they ride carelessly, eg. were ‘weaving’, or ‘turned in front’ of them, the reality is very different.

Government statistics show that, among Hong Kong cyclists involved in accidents, the vast majority (84%) were going straight ahead with priority.  Other road users involved in accidents were more than twice as likely (35% v 16%) to be making a manoeuvre (eg. turning, overtaking or changing lanes), suggesting that they were inattentive or the move was improper.

We also note that overtaking on the near side was no more likely than average to be a factor in a bike accident.

Check out the data for yourself.

Buses must carry folding bikes

February 28th, 2012 | Posted by wheeliefine in transport | transport | Transport Department | uncategorised - (1 Comments)

Under renewal terms for franchises beginning 2013, currently held by New World First Bus, Long Win Bus and Citybus on the airport and North Lantau network, passengers must be allowed to bring foldable bicycles on board.

(Reported in SCMP, 28 Feb 2012.  But we are not sure where that news came from.  Will post here when we find it.)

Sunday 19 Feb – action against scheme to welcome more cars

February 16th, 2012 | Posted by wheeliefine in advocacy | events - (0 Comments)

This Sunday (19th February) HKCAll will support the march calling for the Government to halt the ‘Ad Hoc Quota Trial Scheme for Cross Boundary Private Cars’, which will bring more cars on to our road network, when what is needed is a thorough review of the way we use our urban space and a shift towards individual mobility – on foot and by bike.  Why should 80-90% of the width between buildings be dedicated to motor vehicles, while pedestrians are squeezed into rat-alley pavements and cyclists are despised?

Hope you can join us at 3pm, outside Sogo / Great George Street in Causeway Bay.  If you bring your bike, we’ll walk with the group as far as Wanchai, and then ride through Central to meet them at Tamar, to deliver our message to the government.

Event cycling details: http://www.facebook.com/events/131173233671666/
Main event FB page: http://www.facebook.com/events/383580341668077/

The march/ride is organised by Land Justice League and supported by many other groups, including Clean Air Network and Designing Hong Kong.  Over the weekend, others, including Civic Party, the Democratic Party, the League of Social Democrats and the Liberal Party are taking action against this impending scheme, and highlighting the lack of sustainable urban planning, and the secretive and high-handed way it has been foisted on us.

See you on Sunday!

Tseung Kwan O Cross-Bay Link and cycle tracks 將軍澳跨灣連接路及單車徑

February 15th, 2012 | Posted by wheeliefine in cycle tracks - (1 Comments)

On Sunday, a Public Forum was held to discuss the latest revisions and updates to the planned Tseung Kwan O – Lam Tin Tunnel and Cross Bay Link. In development for at least 20 years, according to one outspoken attendee, the plan is meant to enhance road transport networks and connectivity in the area, with the added benefit of providing a cycle track loop of around 1km – completely isolated from road and pedestrian traffic – with great views, crossing an “infinity bridge” spanning Junk Bay.

上週日舉行了一次公眾研討會，討論將軍澳-藍田隧道及跨灣連接路的最新修訂。根據一名與會者所言，在未來最少20年的發展中，是次計劃目的在於加強道路交通網，連接區內各處，並提供約1公里長的環迴單車徑。完全與馬路分離的單車徑不但不會與行人爭路，而且沿路風景秀麗，穿越橫跨將軍澳的「無限吊索橋」。

At least one TKO resident spoke out on the urgent need for the cycle track to connect the various housing developments, requesting that it be implemented “as soon as possible,” and there seemed to be general agreement from all sides – including presenting parties from CEDD, Aecom, and Arup – that a continuous, interconnected cycle track was a pressing need. Specifically, WM Wong, Chief Engineer for CEDD, promised a cycle track connecting Lohas Park to Tseung Kwan O South in the next 1-2 years, at the very least, and remarked that commuting purposes were being given careful consideration. The crossbay link will of course take a long time to build – up to ten years – but in the meantime, we are told, cycle tracks will be built and put into use to connect estates in the area.

最少兩名將軍澳居民表明單車徑以連接區內多個屋苑的逼切性，並要求計劃盡快落實。各方團體—包括土木工程署、Aecom、奧雅納—似乎對此項目均表讚同，認為一條連貫而相互連接的單車徑有其實際需要。土木工程署總工程師黃偉文先生承諾，起碼於未來1至2年內修築由日出康城到將軍澳南的單車徑，並強調已深入考慮「單車通勤」因素。無可否認，跨灣連接路或需要10年時間完成，但最少在此刻當局表明：工程將包括單車徑以連接區內各屋邨住宅。

Project  項目工程 : http://www.tko-ltt.hk/

If you live in TKO or are interested in this project and would like to keep in touch with other cyclists to monitor progress, drop a line to info@hkcyclingalliance.org.
如果您是將軍澳居民，或有意與其他單車人士繼續一起關注並監察此項目進度，請馬上電郵至： info@hkcyclingalliance.org。

[Thanks to Brandon Kirk for this report]
鳴謝Brandon Kirk是項報導

New threat to NT Cycle Track Network 新界單車徑網絡新威脅

January 25th, 2012 | Posted by wheeliefine in advocacy | cycle tracks - (1 Comments)

The section of the New Territories Cycle Track Network alongside Sai Sha Road (between Sai Kung and Ma On Shan) is now scheduled for completion in 2015 (the timetable has slipped).  It is one of the most anticipated, as this road is a critical link for Sai Kung residents and visitors and – notoriously – is closed to cyclists (from the Tai Mong Tsai roundabout to the restaurants in Nai Chung) on Sundays and public holidays.  (It is narrow too, which in the absence of a culture of road sharing, means it can be less than pleasant to ride.)

But in worrying news, CEDD has apparently decided (or is considering) to delegate construction of a one-kilometre stretch of the cycle track, from Nai Chung to Tai Tung (map), to a developer, Sun Hung Kai, that is building in that area.

What assurances do we have about when this section will open?  And about the track specification?  Why is CEDD not able to retain control?

幾經推遲，政府現計劃於2015年完成沿西沙公路的新界單車網絡(西貢至馬鞍山段)。無疑對於西貢居民或郊遊人士來說，這是最關鍵的一段路，也最值得期待﹔但由大芒仔迴旋處至南涌餐廳的一段，卻以在週日及公眾假期嚴拒單車人士使用而惡名昭著(而且此段路面狹隘，加上沒有共享道路的文化，代表著沿此路騎單車趣味缺缺)。

同時令人擔憂的是，土木工程署已顯然決定(或考慮)將南涌與大洞(地圖)之間一公里的單車徑外判與已在該區域發展中的新鴻基。
試問誰來保證這段路段何時可以開放使用？誰來保證單車徑的建築標準？為甚麼土木工程署總要假手於人、不能保留控制權？