Cycling enthusiasts set for Hong Kong's first 'cyclothon', but will MTR let them ride?
Tourism Board urging cyclothon visitors to use public transport, but bicycles could flout rules
The Tourism Board has urged cyclists taking part in this weekend's cyclothon to take public transport to the event, but could not guarantee the railway operator would allow bikes onto trains or would not fine riders for carrying oversized baggage.
The first Hong Kong Cyclothon kicks off in Tsim Sha Tsui on Saturday and will feature a mixture of amateur and professional races among a series of events and attractions for cycling enthusiasts.
The board's director of event and product development, Mason Hung Chung-hing, said yesterday it had notified the MTR that a large number of riders would potentially want to use the railways this weekend due to the closure of roads and traffic diversions for the cycling events. Hung said shuttle buses had also been arranged.
"When getting on board, riders have to take off one of the wheels [on a bicycle], as suggested by MTR rules," Hung said.
But even without one wheel, bikes might still exceed the maximum length of baggage permitted by the railway operator and be treated as "oversized baggage".
When asked if the board could guarantee the MTR would not fine such passengers, Hung said: "I do not know how to answer that question. But we have notified the railway operator of the event."