MR CHAN KIN-POR (in Cantonese): Deputy President, cycling is a healthy activity which has been very popular among young people all along.
In recent years, environmentalism has taken root in people’s mind. As a form of green transport, cycling has naturally become popular. Besides, bicycles are a prevalent mode of transport for short-haul journeys in many European and American cities. Such a trend has become representative of a voguish lifestyle, and many people go to work by bicycle.
The promotion of cycling as an alternative means of commute and even a mode of transport is an international trend. Hong Kong is a metropolitan city. I agree with the assertion that the Government needs to formulate a bicycle-friendly policy. But I am a bit concerned about the motion today. Apart from striving for the formulation of a bicycle-friendly policy, the motion also expresses the hope of encouraging people to use bicycles as an alternative mode of transport in urban and rural districts, so as to promote low-carbon transport and achieve environmental protection purposes. But at the same time, some other problems may arise, especially the occurrence of more bicycle accidents. The motion today may have underestimated the seriousness of this problem.
Actually, two serious accidents involving bicycles occurred in Sha Tin recently, causing serious injuries to two cyclists. A look at statistics will give us a clear picture of the seriousness of bicycle accidents. The Government’s statistics show that over the past six years, bicycle accidents claimed the lives of 66 people in Hong Kong, and as many as 14 000 people were injured. During the same period, 734 people were killed in traffic accidents in Hong Kong and 95 000 people were injured. A comparison can show the seriousness of bicycle accidents. On average, 11 people are killed every year. This is indeed a shock to us. Let us look at this matter from another angle. Statistics show that in 2015, there were 2 328 accidents involving motorbikes. But there were 2 685 accidents involving bicycles. In other words, the number of bicycle accidents was even greater than that of motorbike accidents. Members must note that these bicycle accidents were so serious that medical attention in hospital was required. In the case of those minor cases, it is utterly impossible to compile any statistics.
It is generally believed that cycling is a safe activity. But they may not realize that so many accidents have occurred. Without an adequate safety awareness and skillful techniques, it can also be dangerous to cycle on cycle tracks. Over the years, many bicycle accidents have occurred in the course of descending a slope. So, even if the Government intends to promote a bicycle-friendly policy, I think it should make vigorous efforts to promote safety education and instill the knowledge of safe cycling in people.
The Government has long since made its stance clear, saying that due to safety concerns, it does not encourage people to use bicycles as a mode of transport in the urban areas. But it has also said that as opposed to urban areas, new towns with a lower density in the New Territories have the necessary conditions for adopting bicycles as an alternative mode of transport for short-haul journeys. At the same time, the Government has also stressed that when formulating any measures for encouraging people to adopt bicycles as an alternative mode of transport, it must take account of the fact that Hong Kong is a tiny place with many people and a very high density of development already, and should make safety its primary consideration.
Some people may think that the Government’s position is rather conservative. But it is actually reasonable to make consideration from the angle of safety. Besides, road conditions in Hong Kong are honestly different from those in many major cities. The city centre of Hong Kong is crowded with people and vehicles, with vehicles travelling at a high speed on narrow roads and the presence of many large vehicles. Many foreigners utterly dare not drive in Hong Kong, and we can imagine the risks involved in cycling. So, after weighing various pros and cons, I think the Government may consider the idea of allowing cyclists to use certain non-busy urban carriageways. But it must put in place auxiliary safety measures, such as designating dedicated lanes for cyclists. But it should not encourage them to use busy carriageways.
As I said just now, apart from promoting the use of bicycles, a bicycle-friendly policy should also cover the promotion of a safety awareness. Cyclists are not required to wear a safety helmet under the existing legislation. But many incidents involving serious casualties are precisely caused by the failure of cyclists to wear a safety helmet. So, the first thing that the Government should do is to consider the enactment of legislation to mandate wearing of safety helmets by cyclists. Besides, should cyclists be required to undergo certain training or tests before they are allowed to cycle on major carriageways? The Government must conduct studies on all these matters.
Furthermore, the motion proposes to permit the use of bicycles on designated spacious pavements in safe circumstances. I think this proposal is very much problematic because cyclists may lose control of their bicycles anytime when cycling. At the same time, many people cycle at a high speed, thus posing certain risks to pedestrians (especially children and elderly people) on pavements. Besides, there may be difficulties in executing this arrangement as cyclists may not know which pavements they are permitted to use and vice versa. Neither will it work if frequent changes are made. As a result, they will only be induced to cycle on all pavements. This is the last thing the Government wishes to see. So, due to various safety concerns, I believe the Government should also conduct some serious studies.
I so submit.