Following the recent series of serious accidents caused by heavy trucks, has anyone any suggestion to improve road safety for cyclists? Is there going to be a massride on May 29 about these and what is the time and route?
This coming Sunday morning at Yuen Chau Tsai Park, Tai Po (end of Tolo Harbour cycling track). A large group of cyclists is said to gather at around 10:00am. Ride for cyclists rights.
Despite the very serious accidents to a French cyclist on October last year and to a British cyclist on April this year, they have either fully recovered or on the way to recovery.
Actually the French cyclist have already resumed cycling earlier this year and have even participated in a race in France in June/July.
The British cyclist will be expected to be back to cycling in late August.
In both cases they took almost half a year before resuming cycling. This lengthy period reflect how serious the accidents were adn how much effort was required for recovery.
Another fatal accident, this time it is a very experienced racing cyclist being killed by a fault of a driver during a race held in Sai Kung on 6/11/2005. I think most if not all of the cyclists already learned that through the news media.
I believe many cyclists whether they have taken part in these races or not have been worrying about the happening of a serious accident in races that take part on open roads one day. This day finally came and is even worser than our expectation. This raise a question:
HK's cyclists had saved HK from total embarrassment in the National Games, but who will save their lives?
This accident has already raised a lot of concern about cyclists' safety in Hong Kong and discussion has been going on about a protest this coming Sat/Sun. We should all keep a close eye on the details of the event and give our full support.
Something happened to my previous post on this subject so apologies if you are getting this twice.
Yes we are all shocked by the tragedy to one of our fellow cyclists.Some of us have already been harassing the relevant government departments for information about cycling accidents and statistics.Often the blame is put on the cyclist when it is actually the driver at fault.It is not in the interest of the police to investigate the true facts and often the driver will get away with the lesser charge of carless driving instead of dangerous driving.
The incident will no doubt cause the police to seriously consider approving future road races and will try and point blame on organisers and even on the poor cyclist for going too fast or even not taking care.
Hong Kong is most definitely cycling unfriendly...Why?
Is it lack of Govt action ?
The uneducated drivers who have never ridden bikes as kids ?
Do the cyclists contribute to the problem?
These are questions all of us should be asking if we are to solve the problem
I myself was almost a cycling statistic last Sunday as well as the driver of a large articulated lorry didnt notice my slow pace around a roundabout in Yuen Long.Luckily I am still here to type this message.Everyday I am risking my life by commuting to work by bike.
I was recently in San Francisco USA...the country of car lovers but the attitude of drivers to cyclists is wonderful.Its proof that cyclists and drivers can exist together if necessary.
Other countries hold commerative rides for such unhappy occasions.We should do the same perhaps at the location of the tragedy and invite the media.We now have a contact as a result of the ride last Sunday.
We have to make our voice heard through campaigns like Critical Mass so that others take notice.Nothing will happen to our benefit until we do.
The latest news about the protest ride for your information. It will be held on next Sunday, i.e. 20/11/2005, 11:00a.m., Wan Chai. Details of the ride have already been posted in another forum. I believe it will easily become the largest/greatest ride in the history of Hong Kong.
Yes it did turn out to be a big event, probably the largest gathering with an estimated number over 300. Cyclist Club had about 30 participants. It was reported under 'Local Rides and Events'.
Does anyone know what happens to motorists convicted of causing the death of a cyclist in Hong Kong?
Do they get suspended from driving or are they allowed to continue to drive ?
There have been a few cyclists killed recently (excluding Brendan) and I wondered if the truck drivers are allowed to contiue to terrorise other cyclists
Well, I am currently prosecuting a minibus driver for careless driving in Oct 2005. Have made a statement to the police with a detailed report and drawing of the circumstances. It takes a few months , and I'll keep you posted on the outcome.