Foreign Cycling News

Hong Kong’s Bicycle Market At a Glance Text & Photo: Editorial Dept.

Say,“Hong Kong”, and most people think of finance, shipping and fine dining. The phrase, "Pearl of the Orient" rarely summons images of bicycles.

Fine racing achievements Nevertheless, according to Wan Wai Wan, proprietor of Hong Kong teams won Hong Kong’s Bicycle World eight gold medals at the recently store, the popularity of cycling completed Asian Games in in Hong Kong has reached a Guangzhou, and Hong Kong’s relatively high level and contin- cycling team won four gold, four ues to steadily increase. Most silver, and one bronze medal. cycling enthusiasts in the city Wong Kam Po is Hong Kong’s ride road bikes. Anita Man, busi- most famous cyclist, and has won ness development manager at a many honors for the city. Such bike store, seconds Wan’s views, other riders as Cheung King Lok, and adds that the there is a stable Sarah Lee, and Steven Wong group of cycling enthusiasts in ▲ According to Wan Wai have also done exceptionally well Hong Kong, and they generally Wan, proprietor of Hong Kong in their respective areas of cy- ride road bikes. Like Japanese professional-class Bicycle World bike shop, the popularity cling. But although Hong Kong’s cyclists, Hong Kong’s cycling of cycling has been steadily cyclists have shone in Asian and fans are drawn to unique, stylish, growing in Hong Kong. world competitions, the major- colorful gear and accessories.

▲ Hong Kong cyclists are ity of Hong Kong residents don’t Although energy conservation/ partial to stylish, unique gear have much contact with bicycles. carbon emission reduction trends and accessories.

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▲ If the total width, length, and height of a stowed or folded bicycle exceeds 170cm, ▲ Hong Kong has a highly efficient mass transit system, and most residents use the Mass Transit the MTR has the right not to carry it. The Railway, buses, light rail, and ferries on a daily basis. For cyclists, however, it is inconvenient and quite photograph shows a large luggage measurement dangerous to constantly share the narrow roads with large buses. device in front of an MTR station. and the outstanding performance neglected groups. Bicycles unwelcome on the of the Hong Kong team in the The vast majority of Hong MTR Asian Games have boosted inter- Kong residents depend on the est in bicycles, when compared mass transit system for their Although most Hong Kong with Taiwan, where cycling has daily travel. Hong Kong people residents depend on the mass pervaded almost every corner of typically use the city’s transit transit system to get around, the society, Hong Kong still has a railways, cable cars, ferries, and transit system is unfortunately long way to go. buses on a daily basis, and those not very bicycle-friendly, and has residents who have their own actually hindered the popular- Fighting with cars for space cars mostly only use them on ity of cycling. While Taiwan’s weekends and holidays. Metro and buses have gradually In cramped, heavily popu- Hong Kong is one of the acquired the ability to carry bi- lated Hong Kong, roads are world’s most densely populated cycles, Hong Kong’s mass transit narrow and traffic is thick. In cities, and each 1,000 residents system has displayed little inter- addition, Hong Kong is a world- must share a mere 0.29km of est in hauling bikes. The Mass famous travel destination, and road; the corresponding values Transit Railway (MTR) considers throngs of tourists flow into the of 0.91km in Singapore and bicycles to be passengers’ lug- city every day. As a result, Hong 7.64km in Taipei show just how gage; folding bikes must be con- Kong’s mass transit is necessar- little road space Hong Kong has tained in carrying bags, and ordi- ily extremely well-developed. even for Asia. Although Hong nary bikes cannot be carried on Although it can generally be as- Kong has a relatively low rate of board. As soon as the total width, sumed that effective mass transit private car ownership for the de- length, and height of a piece systems go hand-in-hand with the veloped world, bicycles must still of luggage exceeds 170cm, the growth of cycling, this principle compete with the light rail sys- MTR has the right not to carry it. doesn’t apply to Hong Kong. tem, cars, and buses, and cyclists Apart from the MTR, the In fact, bicycle riders have long can only dream of having open large buses and light rail cars that been one of Hong Kong’s most road in front of them. ply the streets of Hong Kong will

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shore inlands, however, cycling still hasn’t caught on as a broadly popular pastime like in Taiwan- especially compared to sports like soccer, tennis and horse rac- ing. For instance, the 3rd Hong Kong Games, which is intended to promote “ubiquitous physical fitness” and will be held in May 2011, will not include a single bicycle contest. This situation is very frustrating for those who would like to encourage cycling in Hong Kong.

▲ ▲ Delivery riders battling with cars has become a commonplace street scene on Hong Kong Island. Bike Lanes not carry any bicycles at all. As a The Hong Kong Cycling consequence, Hong Kong cyclists Association has responded to the Hong Kong is actively are seriously disadvantaged. And current situation by holding many creating bike lanes, but these are while the ferries will carry bi- races and activities, and trying to mostly located in the New Ter- cycles, riders bringing their bikes improve Hong Kong’s cycling ritories. This is because the New must pay higher ticket prices than environment. Apart from ordinary Territories were laid out as “new ordinary passengers. The fact cycling, the Association has also towns,” and bike lanes were de- that the mass transit system is so promoted a few things that aren’t liberately established to reduce intolerant of bicycles may be one currently common in Taiwan, residents’ dependence on cars. reason why Hong Kong cannot such as cycle ball, bicycle polo, The Sha Tin bike lane network do even better at conserving en- and stunt riding. This emphasis is particularly extensive, and ergy and reducing carbon emis- helped Hong Kong win three cycling in Sha Tin has become a sions. gold, six silver, and five bronze P e o p l e v i s i t i n g H o n g medals in bicycle-related items Kong seldom see bicycles on the (including road racing, stunt rid- roads. According to Anita Man, ing, cycle ball, and BMX) at the most cyclists in Hong Kong are 2009 East Asian Games--an ex- middle-class professionals, such cellent result. Cycling has gradu- as lawyers and bankers. Hong ally been growing in popularity Kong is a bit of an melting pot, over recent years. Promotion of and people come from around bicycle-related activines is in- the world to work there. Since disputably increasing, as is the many long-term foreign residents number of participants. Among spend most of their time cooped the different parts of Hong Kong, up in offices, they enjoy outdoor cycling is most popular in the ▲ The most popular sports in Hong Kong are recreational activities and sports New Territories. the British-influenced soccer and tennis, which in their spare time, and cycling is In spite of Hong Kong’s are more prevalent than cycling. The photograph shows the 2011 Hong Kong Tennis Classic. one of the best options. cycling trophies and lovely off-

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Future Development

The Hong Kong govern- ment currently considers cycling to be a “leisure or recreational” activity. Because of the lack of connection between both bike lanes and insufficient facilities, ▲ Since the Hong Kong government cannot provide cyclists with a good riding environment, many cyclists suffer accidents many riders appeal for equality by hanging while riding on roads without "share the road" signs on their bikes. bike lanes. In view of this situ- ation, the government has be- gun spending the large sum of HK$2.2 billion on connecting several bike lane networks in the Eastern New Territories and Western New Territories in sev-

▲ The New Territories are the best place for eral stages (see note), which will cycling in Hong Kong. The photograph shows give cyclists better access to such ▲ It is possible to make a downhill ride to the the Tung Chung MTR station in the New foot of the mountain starting from Mui Tsz Lam Territories; the nearby New Town is a good prime local cycling locations as in the New Territories. bicycling area. Tai Po, Sheung Shui, and Sai Kung. This project also calls for the development of new branch good weekend recreational option eas in recent years, and they also bike lanes, hubs, system improve- for Hong Kong residents. Bike either take their bikes there in ments, and new facilities. Thus lanes still aren’t very common in their cars or ride there and back far, practice areas, maintenance many parts of Hong Kong, how- in the same day. depots. and rest areas have been ever, and Hong Kong Island and As for Hong Kong cyclists constructed.The entire project Kowloon have almost no bike who like cross-country riding, is scheduled to be completed in lanes. As far as the many resi- parks under the jurisdiction of the 2015. When that time comes, the dents of Hong Kong Island are Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisher- New Territories will have a bike concerned, there is scarcely any ies and Conservation Department lane network with a total length room at all for riding a bicycle. have cross-country bike paths. of 112km. When residents of Kowloon However, cyclists must apply to or Hong Kong Island want to go the department for a permit be- Note: cycling in the New Territories, fore they can use the paths, and The connections between existing bike because of the mass transit sys- must uphold the parks’ cycling lanes include from Tai Po to Fanling (via Fanling Road), from Tuen Mun to tem’s incompatibility with bikes, rules and wear designated safety Sheung Shui (via San Tin Road), and they must either simply ride there equipment. Non-residents may from Tuen Mun to Tsuen Wan (via Castle Peak Road). Newly constructed bike or carry their bike in their car, if also obtain a permit, but they lanes include from Sai Kung to Ma On they have one. Some Hong Kong must apply at least two weeks be- Shan, from central Tuen Mun to Lung Kwu Tan, from San Tin to Lok Ma Chau, cyclists have started riding in fore actual use. and from Nam Sang Wai to Yuen Long. China’s Shenzhen or Zhuhai ar-

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