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Hong Kong society
OpinionComment
Paul Zimmerman
Paul Zimmerman

Opinion | Hardly a bridge too far for Hong Kong to be inclusive of pedestrians and cyclists

  • Too many chances are missed at the planning stage to include cycle tracks and footpaths on highway bridges, leading to expensive retrofitting
  • With the Tsing Lung bridge likely to be the only chance to link Lantau and the New Territories for cyclists and pedestrians, the authorities must act now

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The 10km Streetathon on part of the Cross Bay Link on December 17. This is the only bridge in Hong Kong that has a footpath and cycle track. Photo: Elson LI
Paul Zimmerman

Have you ever walked or cycled across the bridges of San Francisco, New York, Tokyo, London or Rotterdam? Did you enjoy the panoramic views offered by these vantage points? Ever wondered what the views would be if you were allowed access to Hong Kong’s bridges on foot or by bicycle?

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Imagine walking along Stonecutters Bridge high above the cranes moving containers between vessels and trucks below. Imagine cycling along the Tsing Ma Bridge while ships pass beneath and planes overhead.
Unfortunately, our bridges lack these facilities with one recent exception. The new Cross Bay Link includes a recreational cycle track and footpath offering residents and visitors views of Tseung Kwan O and Junk Bay. It appears to be a one-off “special” – a concession extended to local residents to overcome their objections to the bridge and to compensate them for the obstruction of their open sea view.

The Highways Department has a long history of failing to ensure its infrastructure is inclusive of different transport modes. The design of the Island Eastern Corridor ignored pedestrians who need to connect between Heng Fa Chuen and Shau Kei Wan, forcing them to use a long circuitous route via Chai Wan Road or walk illegally along the highway.

Now it has been recognised as the final missing link in creating a coastal trail around Hong Kong Island, and the Development Bureau is working with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to retrofit a pedestrian link via the Museum of Coastal Defence instead.
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Similarly, and despite continuous work on roads in the area, the Highways Department failed to include a pedestrian link between the West Kowloon Cultural District and Tai Kok Tsui along the New Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter. It is now upon the Harbourfront Commission to figure out an expensive retrofit.

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Hong Kong opens city’s first car-cyclist-pedestrian bridge and new tunnel

Hong Kong opens city’s first car-cyclist-pedestrian bridge and new tunnel
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