After being hit by a taxi, Anthony has been discussing with Transport Department about installing an Advanced Stop box for cyclists on southbound Waterloo Road at the junction with Wylie Road.
Advanced Stop Lines/Boxes are used around the world, giving cyclists a safe and visible place to stop and wait at traffic lights, whilst having a minimal effect on space for cars and other vehicles. ASL’s have made a large impact in London in particular where they are installed in large numbers. It is time for Hong Kong to embrace the bicycle as a feasible mode of transport and enable it with simple measures like these.
The proposed stop box is in the centre of the photo on the left, between the two drains, taking up no existing traffic waiting space whilst enabling cyclists to wait for the traffic lights in safety.
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.
A short, sharp message from Transport for London headlines their latest PR campaign warning about the danger of HGV lorries.
Thousands of handlebar leaflets are being put on bikes all over London and there will be posters re-enforcing the message.
The posters give a very quick warning to all cyclists. Beware of all lorries, staying behind is the safest option.
Being hit by a large lorry is thankfully rare but always serious and more likely to be fatal than any other crash. If there is a junction nearby, don’t try to overtake as lorries turn quickly, cutting across your path.
Cycle sensibly and assertively to help yourself stay safe, especially at traffic lights and junctions.
Recognise that lorry drivers may not be able to see you
Never cycle up the left side of a lorry stopped at a junction
Look out for lorries turning left from beside or behind you
Don’t stop too close to the front of a stopped lorry and stay away from the lorry’s front near side. If a lorry comes up behind you, move forward enough to ensure you are in the driver’s field of vision
Take up a visible position at lights or advanced stop lines: three metres out in front and not by the left kerb or very close to the lorry
Behind a lorry is often the safest place to be. When you need to overtake a large lorry, do so on the right-hand side, so that the driver can see you
Transport for London is keen to point out that it is also targeting lorry drivers. – The HK Government does not even target car drivers, but it would be a great and necessary step for them to also target lorry drivers.
There are press campaigns in the truckers’ magazines, as well as a webpage for drivers.
They will be putting on information events at channel ports and lorry service areas, aimed at drivers heading for London. – This kind of informational event is perfectly possible on Hong Kong also, around the container ports and at the road crossings from mainland china.
There’s a great article in the Sydney Morning Herald on what makes cyclists angry on the roads.. it applies very well to our roads in Hong Kong… so, Why are cyclists angry?.
This is a true bicycle safety manual from 1940, which is interesting in itself, but what’s even more amazing is that the attitude of the Hong Kong Government to cyclists is exactly as described in this out-of-date booklet.
Why do they think that it is OK to always blame the cyclist for the collision, and to just accept that any injuries were their fault…?
Great thanks go to Matteo for allowing us to use his photo of the delivery cyclist. He writes on his own blog about riding vintage Fuji bikes "There is something special about these vintage fuji bicycles. It is inexplainable, but it is real. They are quality. They are beautiful. They surpass expectation.". See more at Fuji Crazy
Many thanks also to Christopher Dewolf for his photo of cycling at sunset in Ma on Shan. His photos can be found at his Flickr Site, and some of his many writings & photos can be found at Urbanphoto.net
Huge Thanks to Jason Findlay for the photo of the Harbourfront bike Ride 5 near Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter