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Harbourfront cycleway on the IEC boardwalk

January 19th, 2012 | Posted by wheeliefine in Harbourfront Cycleway | transport | uncategorised - (0 Comments)

On 12 January, HKCAll took the harbourfront cycleway a step closer to reality with a presentation to the Hong Kong Island Task Force of the Harbourfront Commission.  We showed how the Island Eastern Corridor boardwalk, proposed by Planning Department’s consultant, would be enhanced by and could accommodate the cycleway.

See the HKCAll paper and presentation.

At the end of the meeting, CEDD undertook to incorporate the cycleway into its upcoming initial design consideration for the two-kilometre boardwalk.

 

Bicycle Parking – an update

January 19th, 2012 | Posted by Hong Kong Cycling Alliance in parking - (0 Comments)

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.

A Challenge…

January 5th, 2012 | Posted by Hong Kong Cycling Alliance in transport | Transport Department - (1 Comments)

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

Visionary Transport Infrastructure Study 2030

January 3rd, 2012 | Posted by wheeliefine in cycle tracks | Harbourfront Cycleway | transport | transport - (0 Comments)

A new report from the Hong Kong Construction Association, working with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong, called ‘Visionary Transport Infrastructure Study 2030′, proposes that Hong Kong should become “A City with a Green and Efficient Transport Infrastructure”.

A key element is a policy to promote cycling, along with walking, as transport modes, including:

– proper integrated consideration of cycling in transport planning

– a target modal split for cycling (and one for walking)

– linking districts along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island (this is mentioned under walking but highlights the value of connectivity)

– improved connectivity and management of cycle tracks in new towns

– improved planning, provision and management of cycle parking,

– enhancing education and awareness about cycling

– public cycle hire schemes

 

See the report here:
http://www.hkca.com.hk/front/vitran2030.pdf

 

Clean Air Network petition – support now!

December 29th, 2011 | Posted by wheeliefine in advocacy - (0 Comments)

Hong Kong’s Air Quality Objectives (AQOs) have not been revised in 24 years and exceed the standards recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) by two to four times. This is a serious threat to public health. The Government’s repeated promises to revise the AQOs are belied by its continuing failure to act – for three years, so far.

Clean Air Network (CAN) and Friends of the Earth (HK) are hosting a sign-up petition urging the Government to act now.  All signatures will appear in a full-page spread in a major newspaper and will be compiled and presented to the Environmental Protection Bureau. Many medical, environmental, business, sports and community groups, including HKCAll, are joining to express their concern at our dreadful air pollution.

The petition calls on the government to:

1)      update the Air Quality Objectives, in order to better protect public health;

2)      include fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in its official air quality monitoring;

3)      set up additional protocols to ensure regular review of air quality policy.

Read the Chinese / English official letter, and then, we suggest, sign up at the CAN website or “like” their Facebook page. 

 

HK Public Space Initiative – Vision of the Harbour Promenade

December 29th, 2011 | Posted by Hong Kong Cycling Alliance in events | Harbourfront Cycleway | transport - (0 Comments)

Looking forward to the Hong Kong Public Space Initiative forum coming on the 7th January 2012… it will be a great place to air our views on allowing more access to the harbourfront for cyclists to influential people.

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)

Facebook Event Page

If you are interested in joining us there, comment below or send us an email.

How Bikes Can Save Us

December 27th, 2011 | Posted by Hong Kong Cycling Alliance in cycle tracks | transport | transport - (1 Comments)

Would someone you know like to try cycling?

December 12th, 2011 | Posted by wheeliefine in advocacy | events - (0 Comments)

Just in from CAN, the Clean Air Network:

A once-in-a-lifetime cycling experience at Stonecutters Island!

Raise your hand if you are a cycling amateur! Don’t miss this rare opportunity to cycle in the urban oasis of Stonecutters Island. Sponsored by Shamshuipo District Council, CAN, for the first time, has organized a cycling day to promote the use of zero-emission vehicles. The event is free of charge and open to all participants over the age of 15. Participate by submitting an application form.  Spaces are limited – first come, first served! Click here for further details.

Date: SUNDAY,  8TH JANUARY 2012
Time: 9am-12pm
Eligibility: Age 15 or above
Application Deadline: Wednesday, 28th December 2011
Fee: Free of charge (bikes will be provided)

— content in Chinese —

 

HKPSI Public Seminar

December 8th, 2011 | Posted by Hong Kong Cycling Alliance in events | Harbourfront Cycleway - (1 Comments)

This is a great opportunity to get together with like-minded people who want to make Hong Kong’s harbourfront areas public and accessible to everyone!

The “Vision for Waterfront Promenades in Victoria Harbour” public seminar is being held in Cantonese, but they are hoping to get simultaneous translations into english.

From HKPSI:

Founded by a group of young people, the Hong Kong Public Space Initiative (“HKPSI”) is a charitable organization (IRD File No. 91/11733) that aims to bring the knowledge of public space into the public sphere through promotion and education.

Believing you might be interested, we are cordially inviting your members to attend our very first public seminar titled “Vision for Waterfront Promenades in Victoria Harbour”, of which Mrs. Carrie Lam (林鄭月娥女士), Secretary for Development, is going to deliver a speech, followed by a panel discussion comprising professionals from different fields: Mrs. Winnie Kang (姜梁詠怡女士) Principal Assistant Secretary (Harbour), Development Bureau Prof. Mee Kam Ng (伍美琴教授) Professor, Department of Geog. & Resource Mgt., CUHK Prof. Patrick Lau (劉秀成教授) Legislative Councilor Ms. Christine Loh (陸恭蕙女士) Chairperson, Society for Protection of the Harbour Ir. Albert Lai (黎廣德先生) Director & Ex-Chairman, Conservancy Association Mr. Wong Ho Yin (王浩賢先生) Committee Member, Land Justice League.

This promises to be both an excellent learning opportunity and a golden chance for the public to raise out opinions and vision for the promenades.

For more information, please visit:-

Official Event Page (with Registration Form)

Facebook Event Page

Star Ferry email complaint form

December 3rd, 2011 | Posted by Hong Kong Cycling Alliance in transport | transport - (1 Comments)

The Star Ferry’s proposed $20 bike charge is wrong in so many ways: unfair, environmentally regressive, and not even good business.

If you agree, here is a pre-written letter to send to Star Ferry telling them what we think of paying seven times as much as everyone else.

Make your voice heard!: https://hkcyclingalliance.org/starferry