Number of serious Hong Kong traffic accidents down 42%, but cyclist deaths triple
- Death of seven cyclists in traffic accidents in first half of the year exceeds figure for whole of 2023, police say
Police said on Sunday the death of seven cyclists showed a worrying upwards trend, with only two such fatalities in the first six months of last year.
“It is worth noting that the number of deaths recorded in the first half of this year has far surpassed the six deaths from the whole of 2023. The situation is concerning,” said Lam Kai-sum, the force’s chief inspector of road safety at the traffic branch headquarters.
Four of the seven cycling cases involved riders losing control of their bicycles, with three of them descending slopes at the time. The remaining three involved collisions with vehicles on the road, including two trucks and a private car.
Six victims were not wearing helmets or protective gear while cycling and six accidents occurred on roads.
“We have found that many residents underestimate cycling, viewing it solely as a leisure activity or a simple means of transport, neglecting the evaluation of their own abilities and the importance of wearing protective gear,” Lam said.