Now's the time for city's government to get on its bike - literally
I refer to the article by Elaine Yau ("Where there's a wheel…", March 25) on a bike-sharing pilot scheme in Sha Tin, based on a similar idea in metropolitan cities such as Paris, Taipei, New York and London.
I refer to the article by Elaine Yau ("Where there's a wheel…", March 25) on a bike-sharing pilot scheme in Sha Tin, based on a similar idea in metropolitan cities such as Paris, Taipei, New York and London.
If it can be done successfully in these busy cities, then, with the government's support and involvement, certainly it can be done here, too.
Traditionally, many Hongkongers have thought of cycling as a weekend leisure activity - confined only to areas far from the city centre in the New Territories.
When I was young, I cherished every cycling trip I made to Sha Tin or Tai Mei Tuk. In those days, travelling to the New Territories was like taking a holiday in itself; it involved a tiring two-hour journey - by bus, then KCR train, and finally on foot - before we arrived at a bicycle rental shop.
To make these long trips to go cycling worthwhile, my family and friends would often make the activity a day-long event by also having a barbecue, or taking a boat trip.
Over the years, I've been pleased to see cycle paths have been introduced around Sha Tin, Tai Po and also extended to areas along Tolo Harbour, and new towns such as Ma On Shan and Tseung Kwan O.
However, I'm still not sure why cycling remains restricted to the New Territories. Why are children unable to exercise on their bikes when they wish in the city's public parks?
We have so many parks - big and small - in every district and neighbourhood. Yet on the gate of each one of them there is a sign stating that cycling is prohibited.
I fail to see the logic in this ban. Are our children not to be trusted to use their bikes without crashing into other people using the park, or racing recklessly against one another?
Children in many Western countries are allowed to ride as a leisure activity in their public parks, but in Hong Kong it remains restricted everywhere except for the New Territories.
I have always wondered why the government cannot open up our community parks to cyclists - for example, by adding a cycle path inside, or around the outside, to make it easier for more people to take up this popular and healthy pastime?
It might be that officials think children will be reckless if they cycle bikes close to their homes, so they banish cyclists to the New Territories. Perhaps they don't want to embrace change, or don't believe in the idea that "there's a wheel…".
