The prospects of cycling for intra-city travel in the new towns of Hong Kong

Abstract

Cycling has a long history as a mode of human transportation. It is highly recognised for its contributions in environmental protection, public health improvements and community vitalisation. Many international cities have accommodated cycling as a fundamental part of their own city planning. Such implementation of cycling city may not be fit into the city centres of Hong Kong due to its demographics and composition of the urban transport system. Nevertheless, many previous studies have identified the possibility to promote intra-city cycling in the new towns.

This study has reviewed the concept of cycling and definition of sustainable mobility. The history of local cycling planning and development is also explored. Interview survey has been conducted in the subject new towns to retrieve valuable data from the local user’s perspective. These data are further analysed to identify the reasons for the current low utilisation rate of intra-city cycling. It was discovered that safe cycling environment and efficient cycle track maintenance contribute to higher cycling usage, while prosecution of illegal parking of bicycles deters cycling usage. Several recommendations on cycling planning and infrastructure improvements are provided for the future government policymaking.