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A step forward for the proposed Harbourfront Cycleway

January 6th, 2021 | Posted by Ka Leung Chan in general cycling

中文版在此:https://hkcyclingalliance.org/a-step-forward-for-the-proposed-harbourfront-cycleway

The North Point section of the pedestrian boardwalk under the Island Eastern Corridor was finally gazetted on 31 December 2020, with cycling as part of the design.

Implementation is expected to begin in March 2021. As early as 2009, the Planning Department commissioned a planning and design company to conduct the Hong Kong Island East Harbour-front Study, which proposed the need to provide connectivity and accessibility to the waterfront.

The Hong Kong Cycling Alliance presented to the Harbourfront Commission in 2011, proposing that a Harbourfront Cycleway be created, and formally submitted a forward-looking report on the IEC Boardwalk cycleway Feasibility Study, building on the Hong Kong Island East Harbour-front Study. The planned boardwalk under the Island Eastern Corridor was widened to include cycling. Allowing bicycles and pedestrians to share this boardwalk is an important means of revitalising the waterfront. Ultimately, it is hoped that a 16-kilometre Harbourfront Cycleway can be created, running from Kennedy Town to Heng Fa Village.

The specific suggestions and research into how the cycleway could be implementated depended on the participation and input of many parties. From November 2007, Ms Ho Loy, Hong Kong Cycling Information Network and Hong Kong Cycling Alliance have together led a series of major campaigning mass cycle rides – the “Harbourfront Bike Ride”. There have been nine such ride events, in which a total of nearly 10,000 people have participated. For eight years, from 2011 to 2019, a monthly petitioning ride, the “3+1 Cycling Alumni Association” led by Mr Lau Kam Moon (Uncle Moon), delivered a call for the full 16km cycleway to the Government Headquarters, with many people taking part.

Hong Kong Cycling Alliance and other organisations and citizens have engaged in many official and private meetings and consultation activities during these years, making proposals and providing ideas. All parties continue to work hard to follow up and fight for the 16km Harbourfront Cycleway from Kennedy Town to Heng Fa Chuen, having now successfully secured the pedestrian boardwalk North Point section of the Island Eastern Corridor, which was finally gazetted on 31 December 2020. There will be two sections – eastern and western. From Oil Street to Tong Shui Road is the western section (about 0.7 kilometres long), and from Tin Chiu Street to Hoi Yu Street is the eastern section (about 1.1 kilometres long).

Although the North Point section under the Island Eastern Corridor is less than two kilometres – only a fragment of the long-called-for cycleway, it is nonethless an important link, as this section of the shoreline is abutted by private residential developments.

We all look forward to the day that Hongkongers and visitors can ride bikes the full 16 kilometres along the Harbourfront Cycleway from Kennedy Town to Heng Fa Chuen!

Other information:

Pedestrian Boardwalk under Island Eastern Corridor – research website

IEC Boardwalk Cycling Corridor Feasibility Study

report produced by the Hong Kong Cycling Alliance:

TVB Pearl News report on the 8th Harbourfront Bike Ride, 22 Januuary 2017
Harbourfront Cycleway – Interactive News 8 September 2011

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