Cycling Legally in Hong Kong

[Karim Luqman]

Hi All,
I have been cycling in Hong Kong for over 10 years and find myself either riding around the island to Shek-O, Up the Peak or if I want somewhere flat around the airport and Disney. However, on occasion, I have wanted to head off up Tai Mo Shan or Sai Kung Country Park….legally. 

In Sai Kung I have only headed from the entrance to Hoi Ha Wan and Wong Shek Pier but would love to head over to High Island reservoir. It is not clear to me that this can be done legally unless I live in Sai Kung Park or walk (I note taxis and private cars are allowed…). Am I correct in saying there is no permit that would allow me to cycle on the roads legally in Sai Kung Country park or is the only way to cycle there to ignore every one and just get on with it, presumably early…

I must say Hong Kong seems to push cyclists into a corner through a lack of clarity and a total lack of support for cyclists. The idea that cyclists are a danger to pedestrians or other road users is nonsense (the opposite is true when cycling to Shek-O and observing some of the idiots in supercars). Taking a bicycle on the MTR is also a rubbish experience. Being forced to remove the front wheel rather than wheel the bike through the station is far more dangerous and no help when wearing cleats (although I wear cleat covers now). It is a matter of simple respect for each other whether in a car, walking or on public transport.
I have driven sports cars, high-performance motorbikes, bicycles and occasionally been known to walk and take public transport too. And in my experience safety comes down to being aware of one’s surroundings and respect for those around you and not impenetrable laws, unobservant inadequately skilled drivers or snowflakes.

Is there no organisation in Hong Kong able to advocate for cyclists in an effective manner? Every time I see some hope of change it’s actually the cycling groups who appear to fail to follow through. This cannot be true? Can it?

Apologies. Started as a question and ended in a rant.

[Natasha Williams]

Hi Karim,

I am not aware of a legal way to ride over High Island Dam but plenty of cyclists do ride it daily. Locally, the rule is understood to be off the road before 8am. I have done this for the last 7 years and have not run into any difficulty (yet) :-)

Thanks

Natasha

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[Rupert Griffiths]

Hong Kong Cycling Alliance most involved in advocating cycling. 

http://hkcyclingalliance.org/

As said, AFCD seems to turn a blind eye in the CP in the very early morning. TMS is legal though. They used to not let cyclists past the barrier 2km from the top but now it doesn’t seem to be an issue. 

-- Sent from my iphone. 

On Feb 19, 2020, at 1:21 PM, Natasha Williams <natashawil...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Karim Luqman]

Thanks for the feedback folks. It is beyond me why they don't just open it up to bikes but I guess in the meantime I'll carry on as usual... #goodgriefcharliebrown