Mall owner keen for wheeling and dealing
The Link Management plans to attract cyclists to use its malls around the city by offering support services such as bike rentals, wheel repairs and perhaps even shower rooms.
The company, which manages 112 shopping malls near public housing estates, says it wants to tap this potential customer group by making the malls 'rest stops' for cyclists.
Hilda Wong, the company's head of marketing, said yesterday there were few facilities on the road that met cyclists needs.
'Cyclists like myself have to put everything including a bicycle pump in our bags because there are few services around,' she said. 'We also find they are willing to spend money on consumer goods and services.'
Many of the company's malls in the northern New Territories are near cycling paths and their customer service centres could provide services including rentals, cycle parking, tyre repairs and replacements.
Wong said the company was also considering providing shower rooms in some malls.
While more details will be released next month, the company is organising a pilot bike parade to involve cyclists during the Lunar New Year.
It is recruiting 500 cyclists to tour six of its malls in Tin Shui Wai to inject life into the new town, which has gained notoriety for a high unemployment rate and a series of domestic tragedies.
The two-hour night parade will be preceded by an artistic cycling show in one of the malls.
The company will spend HK$5 million on the event, along with other Lunar New Year celebrations.
Cyclists interested in the event, on February 25, can register on a Facebook page called 'Link the Bike'.
The Link Real Estate Investment Trust took over the investment portfolio of the Housing Authority and was listed in 2005.
