Cyclists, enjoy yourselves – but please observe the road rules, for your own safety.

Like other road-users, cyclists should also strictly observe road regulations, traffic signs and road markings in order to fully enjoy the fun of riding bicycles, said Senior Superintendent of Police (New Territories South Traffic), David Thomas.

Mr Thomas was officiating at the launching of the ‘1995 Sha Tin Safe Cycling Day’, held at the Tai Wai Bicycle Park last week. He revealed that there was a drastic increase in the number of bicycle traffic accident last year.

In 1994, there were as many as 681 accidents involving bicycles, resulting in eight deaths and 216 cases of serious injury. The figure represented a 17 per cent increase over the toll of 584 in 1993.

‘Many of these accidents could have been avoided had these cyclists taken safety measures and paid attention when they were riding,’ Mr Thomas said.

Noting that the promotion of safe cycling was an important item of the district’s road safety education this year, Mr Thomas said that Sha Tin was one of the districts in the territory where cycle tracks were built along highways and roads for the sole use of bicycle riders.

In October last year, the Tai Wai Bicycle Park became a gazetted area for the riding of three-or four-wheel multi-cycles.

‘Although cyclists are provided with such facilities, the responsibility for safety rests with the cyclists themselves.’ The safe cycling day publicity drive featured a cycling demonstration by the Bicycle Association and an open-deck bus parade running from Tai Wai train station to Ma On Shan.