The Government strives to implement the about 82 km-long “New Territories cycle track network”, connecting the East and West of the New Territories for the purposes of leisure and recreation. As part of the network, the Tuen Mun to Ma On Shan backbone section was linked up last year, while the Tsuen Wan to Tuen Mun backbone section, about 22 km long, is being implemented in stages. The waterfront section in Tsuen Wan will first open tomorrow (19 July) for public enjoyment. This time, I have invited colleagues from the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) to talk about this new cycle track with a length of around 2 km, as well as its supporting facilities, design features, challenges encountered and so on.

Cycling entry/exit hub and resting stations along the cycle track

Ms TANG Ho-yan, Joyce, Senior Engineer of the CEDD, says that the newly opened cycle track is built along the waterfront, running from Tsuen Wan Riviera Park to Bayview Garden, and about 2.3 km in length. Apart from the cycle track, the project team has built two resting stations along the way, with spaces for parking bicycles and for cyclists to take a rest. Moreover, a cycling entry/exit hub is built near Hoi Hing Road with a cycle practising area, sheltered benches, a public toilet, cycle parking spaces, a drinking fountain, etc.

Appreciating the stunning view of Rambler Channel

Mr SIU Man-kit, Terry, Engineer of the CEDD, says that cyclists can enjoy the stunning view of Rambler Channel and Tsing Yi Island while riding along the new cycle track, which passes through a number of public leisure and recreational venues in the district, such as Tsuen Wan Park, Tsuen Wan Riviera Park, Tsuen Wan Promenade, etc. The cycle track is located next to the MTR Tsuen Wan West Station and Tsuen Wan West Station Public Transport Interchange, allowing convenient access for visitors from other districts. He adds that the department hopes that the new cycle track can give further impetus to the Tsuen Wan waterfront, providing yet another option of leisure and recreation for the public.

Public participation in designing the cycle parking racks

As regards the features of the new cycle track, I have to mention the cycle parking racks designed by the public. While designing the cycle track, the CEDD held the Cycle Parking Rack Design Competition to encourage the public to use their creativity to design the facilities for cycle parking racks, thereby putting forward the idea of “soliciting innovative ideas from the public to serve the community”. A number of winning designs have been incorporated in the new Tsuen Wan waterfront cycle track. An example is the cycle parking racks at the cycling entry/exit hub, with a design that is both creative and practical - they look like leaves from above, with seats and green elements at the ends.

Taking residents’ needs into account when designing the project

Regarding the challenges encountered when building the cycle track, Mr Terry SIU says that, as the cycle track is built along the waterfront, apart from the need to protect road users’ safety, they have to strike a balance between the overall experience of cyclists and that of members of the public who walk to the waterfront. Therefore, the project team has put a number of pedestrian crossings at suitable locations along the cycle track to maintain accessibility to the waterfront and at the same time reduce the impact on cyclists caused by pedestrians crossing the cycle track.

Furthermore, since this cycle track is mainly located at Tsuen Wan Promenade and Tsuen Wan Riviera Park that are open for public use, the project team has worked hard to minimise the impact on existing park facilities and trees in the alignment design. With detailed planning on the part of the CEDD, there was no need to close the entire park or other leisure facilities when works were in progress. Members of the public could continue to enjoy the waterfront.

Putting up warm reminders from Mr Safegg

The new cycle track is close to public leisure facilities. Ms Joyce TANG tells us that, to strengthen the safety awareness of cyclists and other road users, the CEDD has borrowed the Road Safety Council’s mascot, Mr Safegg, for designing a series of “warm reminders” that are simple and easy to understand. These warm reminders have been put up at suitable locations along the cycle track to remind cyclists, or those who are not familiar with traffic signs and road markings, especially children, to pay attention to road conditions and follow traffic rules.

Bicycle ambassadors to promote safe cycling

After the cycle track becomes open for public use, in the initial period, the CEDD has made special arrangements to have bicycle ambassadors provide assistance to the public, and promote safe cycling and related etiquette. Also, they will patrol on bicycles along the cycle track on a regular basis. Not long ago in May and June, at the activities organised at Tsuen Wan waterfront to promote safe cycling, the bicycle ambassadors talked to the public about suitable clothing/equipment for cycling and the safety rules they should pay attention to when cycling.

Public consultation on the design of cycle track extension

For three weeks in a row, I have shared with you in “My Blog” the recreational facilities constructed and district works undertaken by the CEDD, namely the Kai Tak Sky Garden, Tai Po Lung Mei Beach and Tsuen Wan waterfront cycle track. They have been completed one after another and are open for use, giving the public more good choices to go for their leisure activities during holidays. The Tsuen Wan waterfront cycle track marks the beginning of the Tsuen Wan to Tuen Mun backbone section that forms part of the “New Territories cycle track network”. As for the cycle track section between Bayview Garden and So Kwun Wat, the CEDD is planning to conduct a public consultation on its design early next year. When the time comes, I hope you will actively participate and voice your opinions. Also, with the opening of the new cycle track, I hope pedestrians and cyclists would understand and respect each other, and enjoy the Tsuen Wan waterfront together.