Environmental concern, enjoyment, convenience and low cost are among the reasons cited by Hong Kong residents who commute by bicycle - but they warn it requires skill, nerves and concentration. There are relatively few cyclist commuters on Hong Kong Island. When one of them, Ross Inglis, 43, who lives in Sheung Wan, was asked for an interview he joked: 'It'll be a short article.' The triathlete uses his bike not only for training rides but to get around town, despite his concerns about exercising amid exhaust fumes and pollution. 'If you've got any kind of environmental conscience, it's an easy decision to make.' He is a strong supporter of calls to include cycling routes in the new Wan Chai waterfront development, which he said would be a useful and pleasant route. 'Hong Kong has to start somewhere with its cycling infrastructure,' said Mr Inglis. For singing teacher Bethan Greaves, 27, of Central, the environmental benefits of riding a bicycle around Hong Kong Island are an added bonus rather than a prime motivating factor. 'I really enjoy cycling. It's quick. It doesn't cost anything. You're not relying on anyone to get you anywhere,' said Ms Greaves. 'When I tell people I cycle, they go 'Wow, you're very brave',' she added, acknowledging that good insurance, protective gear and alertness were essential to negotiate traffic. However, her biggest difficulty is parking. 'If I want to take the bike to Causeway Bay, where do I leave it? There are no cycle racks. [The lack of parking] makes you think twice every time. You're not encouraged to use bikes here.' Teacher Paul Tattam, 48, from Fo Tan, spokesman for the Hong Kong Cycling Alliance, has been commuting to work in Sha Tin for eight years, riding not on dedicated cycle tracks but on roads. The journey takes him 20 minutes each way, 10 minutes faster than doing it by bus. He keeps a careful eye on the traffic, always assuming drivers will behave in the worst possible way, but says he enjoys the journey. 'The reason I do it is because I like cycling. I like having a bit of exercise before I go into my job. 'You are a bit exhilarated . . . and at the end of the day, you can forget your cares and office worries,' he said.
