Author Archives: Hong Kong Cycling Alliance
IEC Presentation – Slide 35
February 21st, 2012 | Posted by in general cycling | Harbourfront Cycleway | IEC Presentation - (0 Comments)
IEC Presentation – Slide 36
February 21st, 2012 | Posted by in general cycling | Harbourfront Cycleway | IEC Presentation - (0 Comments)
IEC Presentation – Slide 37
February 21st, 2012 | Posted by in general cycling | Harbourfront Cycleway | IEC Presentation - (0 Comments)
IEC Presentation – Slide 38
February 21st, 2012 | Posted by in general cycling | Harbourfront Cycleway | IEC Presentation - (0 Comments)
There’s a few updates on the ‘link the bike’ project from the link real estate people… they are offering bikes for free use if you spend a minimum amount in their shopping malls. They will be available at their Tin Shui Wai, Tseung Kwan O and Stanley Shopping Centres, and with tyre pumps, racks, bike lock and repair kit at no charge, they could be a good alternative for any cyclists looking to get home after a shopping trip.
More information at the stanley plaza website.
Working in the Hopewell Centre in Wanchai, I have to make my way up and down Spring Garden lane every day, along with the many other pedestrians who are winding their way amongst the cars and vans that also use that small lane, and I’ve often thought that there must be a better way.. why do several hundred people have to be pushed to the side of the road so that maybe ten people in cars can get through…?
How much trouble does it really cause if the lane was closed to motorised traffic at least during rush hours so that the people who live and work in wanchai can actually use the space in a much more productive manner than as it is mostly used now.. a temporary car park and exhaust fume collection space that is dangerous for pedestrians.
I was reminded of this dream when I can across this document about designing walkable urban thoroughfares, just released by a new urbanists group (CNU). One day the Hong Kong government have to move forward in their thinking and realise that motorised traffic is not helpful to creating safe spaces and communities for people to enjoy… I hope and dream that it’s sooner rather than later.
There has been a small but growing movement of people who are fed up with the lack of bicycle parking in their buildings and are doing something about it!
We have recently heard from the building management people at Legco, that the Tamar building will almost certainly get some bike parking spaces, which is fantastic news and it’s nice to be reminded that cycling in Hong Kong has support from important and influential people.
We have also heard news that the China Resources Building in Wanchai is in the process of installing up to 57 bike parking spaces and 28 bike shower facilities to enable the building to become LEED (sustainable building) accredited. As more and more governments, developers and businesses around the world understand the value of sustainable buildings, increasing numbers of new buildings will look for this type of accreditation. Installing bike parking can help attain the required number of points to attain that accreditation.
Link developments (owners of several shopping malls and car parks, mostly in the new territories) have announced that they want to install bike parking and showers in some of their properties, so that they can attract cycling customers. This is a new approach in Hong Kong, though it has been realised in other places around the world, once businesses understand that people on bikes are customers that are worth attracting.
The cycle.hopewell facebook page has been quiet for a few months, however I expect to be writing a letter again soon to keep the discussion going as we now have two options for the bike parking locations, both within the Hopewell Centre building and some possible locations within Wu Chung House next door.
We have also recently heard from one of the occupants in the ICC building about the difficulties of cycling to work there, and the absolute lack of bicycle parking, including the approach roads often not allowing bicycles.
If you are interested in helping out with or starting your own campaign for bike parking in your building, let us know. We can give support, materials, and publicity as necessary.
You own a car, not the road.
January 18th, 2012 | Posted by in transport | Transport Department - (1 Comments)Do you like the title of the post..?.. I’ve never heard the subject described that way before, but I think it’s a great way to summarize how cyclists feel about arrogant or aggressive drivers. The quote comes from the comment section of the ipayroadtax.com link below, so thanks go to Jack Thurston of The Bike Show podcast.
Don’t forget that here in Hong Kong all of the tax revenue is paid into one big amount, the same way as the UK, and it is then spent where the government decides, so there is no road tax here in Hong Kong also, there is only a vehicle registration and license, and don’t let drivers try to tell you otherwise.
There’s also a great post and discussion on the subject of licensing or registering bicycles at ipayroadtax.com. it’s a lot of words, but it’s worth reading.
London has been seen in the last few years as a progressive city for cyclists, including many new cycle lanes and superhighways, advance stop lines at junctions, a big bicycle share scheme and awareness campaigns for HGV drivers amongst many various ways that have encouraged cycling and increased safety on the roads. With the massive expansion of cycling in London has been a respective concern for a possible increase in cyclist injuries and fatalities, and yet only 12 cyclists were killed on London’s roads between August 2010 and July 2011.
If we were to compare numbers of cyclists on the road in Hong Kong and London, we could expect to see some proportionality between the numbers killed, and yet Hong Kong had 14 fatalities between January and September only, with far fewer cyclists on its roads…!
I think it’s time to challenge the Hong Kong Government Transport Department to address this by:
- Educating drivers in the proper way to interact with cyclists
- Amending Government policy throughout all departments to acknowledge cycling in urban areas and that cycling as transport already happens
- Installing a policy within Planning Department & Development Bureau that takes account of cyclists
- Using traffic calming measures & signage where appropriate
Hong Kong is known for its progressive stance on many issues, however I feel that cycling has been left behind compared to public opinion and also other cities around the world. These measures would be a big step forward, and could be the start of something great for the future of Hong Kong.
Nick Andrew
HK Public Space Initiative – Vision of the Harbour Promenade
December 29th, 2011 | Posted by in events | Harbourfront Cycleway | transport - (0 Comments)
The forum is being conducted in Cantonese, however they are providing simultaneous written interpretation (similar to a subtitle service) through providing each English speaker an electronic device (e.g. iPad/Laptop) connected to our translator’s computer by wifi, then the translator will type the main points raised by speakers to the messenger in real time.
more information here:
Official Event Page (with Registration Form)
If you are interested in joining us there, comment below or send us an email.
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