Hong Kong recorded 392 fatal and serious traffic accidents in the first half of the year, a 42 per cent drop against the same period in 2023, but those involving cyclists more than tripled.
Police said on Sunday the death of seven cyclists showed a worrying upwards trend, with only two such fatalities in the first six months of last year.
“It is worth noting that the number of deaths recorded in the first half of this year has far surpassed the six deaths from the whole of 2023. The situation is concerning,” said Lam Kai-sum, the force’s chief inspector of road safety at the traffic branch headquarters.
Four of the seven cycling cases involved riders losing control of their bicycles, with three of them descending slopes at the time. The remaining three involved collisions with vehicles on the road, including two trucks and a private car.
Six victims were not wearing helmets or protective gear while cycling and six accidents occurred on roads.
“We have found that many residents underestimate cycling, viewing it solely as a leisure activity or a simple means of transport, neglecting the evaluation of their own abilities and the importance of wearing protective gear,” Lam said.
“Cyclists should try to make themselves visible to other drivers on the road by avoiding staying in blind spots of large vehicles. If a driver of a large vehicle accidentally hits you while you are in their blind spot, they may not even realise it.”
Lam said cyclists should wear a helmet to better protect themselves, even if it was not currently a legal requirement. He stopped short of saying whether helmets should become mandatory.
Leung Chi-yin, head of the members affairs committee of the Cycling Association of Hong Kong, China, said many casual cyclists were unaware of their reduced visibility on the road compared with other vehicles.
“Stopping beside a large vehicle at a traffic light without the driver noticing can lead to accidents when they turn while starting to drive,” said Leung, who has represented Hong Kong as a professional rider.
He said cyclists needed to have the right knowledge and attitude on the road, with crosswinds created by passing vehicles potentially leading to accidents.
He added riders should be well aware of their surroundings and potential hazards on the road.
“We need to remind ourselves that [drivers of] vehicles may not always see us. With this awareness, we can cycle together safely,” Leung said.
“We should inspect our bicycles because often we fail to do so before setting off, especially when going down a slope. A faulty or unresponsive brake system at crucial moments can lead to accidents.”
The cycling coach said reflective clothing could help riders be more visible on the road and wearing a helmet enhanced safety significantly.
The force’s statistics showed 392 people were involved in fatal and serious accidents in the first six months of the year, down 42 per cent compared with the 675 over the same period in 2023.
Among the victims this year, 341 suffered serious injuries and 51 died, representing 13 per of the total.
Trucks and private cars were each involved in about 24 per cent of the accidents, followed by taxis at 13 per cent. Motorcycles accounted for 12 per cent of the accidents, and bicycles 10 per cent. The remaining 18 per cent of accidents involved buses and minibuses.
The number of pedestrian deaths decreased 47 per cent over the same period to 17.
“Many accidents can actually be prevented and the decision-making power lies in the hands of the driver. By choosing to drive responsibly and being a conscientious driver, many serious accidents can be avoided,” said Superintendent Lai Siu-wai of the traffic branch headquarters.
