Blitz against cycling offences follows
publicity drive
The Force carried out a territory-wide publicity campaign on cycling safety from September 9 to 15, during which officers distributed publicity leaflets to the public at traffic accident black spots involving bicycles and to employees of shops using bicycles for delivery of goods.
Immediately after the publicity campaign, the Force started conducting a weeklong territory-wide operation to take stringent enforcement actions against cycling offences.
There were 1 447 traffic accidents involving bicycles and resulting in 1 359 cyclist casualties in the first eight months of this year, representing an increase of 13 per cent and 15 per cent respectively when compared with 1 275 traffic accidents and 1 184 cyclist casualties in the same period of last year. Among the cyclist casualties in the first eight months of 2011 were 10 deaths, an increase of four when compared with the same period of 2010.
Meanwhile, a police spokesman has advised the public that cyclists are obliged to obey all the traffic laws, which apply to drivers and are subject to the Road Traffic Ordinance. They should also pay attention to other road users.
The common cycling offences include failing to comply with traffic signs or road markings, riding on pavements, carrying a passenger, carrying any animal or article which obstructs the cyclist's view, and riding without illuminating lights.
Driving
safe
cycling message home in Sha Tin