Q How can Hong Kong promote safe cycling?
What seems to have been conveniently forgotten in the debate surrounding the tragic death of a cyclist in Sai Kung Country Park is that one of the causal factors in the accident was the decision of various government authorities to allow cycle racing, using both sides of a narrow road, while keeping the road open to normal traffic.
The government was warned of the potential hazards of allowing large numbers of cyclists to race in the country park, while not segregating them from normal traffic, one year before the accident. Yet it persisted in sanctioning these races.
While I have every sympathy for cyclists wanting to enjoy normal roads in a sensible, law-abiding manner, official road races can only safely be undertaken on roads where they are segregated from the normal traffic flow.
David Newbery, Sai Kung
How can Hong Kong, or anywhere, promote safe cycling, or safe anything? The answer is very simple: everybody concerned has to learn the rules and conventions, and obey them, act sensibly and considerately and, when necessary, be patient and cautious.
Unfortunately, many drivers, cyclists and pedestrians cannot cope with these stringent demands. As, I presume, Karina O'Carroll (Talkback, October 13) is, I am a frequent driver in and about Sai Kung; but, unlike her, I do not find the roads too narrow.