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Riders will be allowed on the Tsing Ma Bridge for the first time. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Hong Kong's first Cyclothon signs up 3,000 cyclists including international professionals

More than 3,000 cyclists have signed up for the first Hong Kong Cyclothon - an event the Tourism Board hopes will attract a new kind of visitor interested in the popular sport amid a slowdown in arrivals.

Riders will be allowed on the Tsing Ma Bridge for the first time, there will be 10km and 35km challenge events, and participants will be allowed to cycle around landmarks like the International Commerce Centre and the Cultural Centre.

An international ride will feature 80 professionals from 15 countries, including Glenn O'Shea, the Australian track cyclist who won a silver medal at the London Olympics in 2012.

The weekend action kicks off in Tsim Sha Tsui on October 10.

"We want to attract different kinds of tourists," said Mason Hung Chung-hing, event and product development general manager of the board.

Hung said research from the board showed that cycling was popular and could be a new source of tourists.

"Overseas media can be drawn to cover the event, and I believe they would also cover the other side of Hong Kong, which boosts international exposure."

Hung hoped tourists could come and "join the party".

While there was no target number of visitors for the event, he said the board would continue to stage events to highlight the city's attractions, including the annual Wine and Dine Festival in October and WinterFest in December.

Board chairman Peter Lam Kin-ngok said earlier that the tourism industry showed signs of frailty on the back of the strong Hong Kong dollar and sluggish economy.

The number of visitors to the city in July recorded a year-on-year decrease of 8.4 per cent, to 4.9 million, with the number of solo mainland travellers down 9.8 per cent to 3.8 million.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: 3,000 sign up to ride in city's first Cyclothon
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