Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (October 20):
Question:
At present, bicycles are the daily means of transport for a large number of residents in Yuen Long (including Tin Shui Wai) and Tuen Mun. Many residents in Tin Shui Wai have told me that the cycling tracks in the district are not connected. Cyclists are forced to ride on the pavements in road sections where cycling tracks are not available, resulting in their violation of the law and posing danger to pedestrians. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council of:
(a) the number of traffic accidents involving bicycles and the number of cyclists prosecuted in Yuen Long District in each of the past three years; and
(b) the comprehensive planning of the cycling track works in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun, with illustrations to show the finished and unfinished works respectively, and the completion date of all the works?
Reply
Madam President,
My reply to the two parts of the question is as follows -
(a) According to the information from the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau, the number of traffic accidents involving bicycles and the number of cyclists prosecuted in Yuen Long District in the past three years is set out in the table below -
| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | |
| ---- | ---- | ---- | |
| Traffic accidents involving | |||
| bicycles (number of cases) | 231 | 289 | 288 |
| Cyclists prosecuted (number of persons) | |||
| 576 | 187 | 738 | |
(b) The planned cycle track networks in Yuen Long (including Tin Shui Wai) and Tuen Mun are shown in the attached drawing. These cycle tracks have largely been completed. Certain parts of the completed cycle tracks are interrupted due to close proximity of some sections to bus stops or the carrying out of other projects in the vicinity. Transport Department is investigating the feasibility to carry out improvement measures and aims to complete the possible improvement works in about two years' time.
As indicated in the attached drawing, the uncompleted section of the cycle track along Wetland Park Road in Tin Shui Wai New Town is under construction and is anticipated to be completed in mid-2005. The uncompleted section along Wang Tat Road in Yuen Long Town is anticipated to be completed in mid-2006. The uncompleted section adjacent to the Tuen Mun Town Park is anticipated to be completed in end-2005. The works for the section in Tuen Mun Area 54 will be carried out together with the development of the area. The anticipated completion date is under review.
Ends/Wednesday, October 20, 2004
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