Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
In Hong Kong’s Sha Tin district, a resident from the nearby Mei Lam Estate pauses outside the Tai Wai MTR station.
There is a long row of racks filled with bicycles parked closely together. The 70-year-old resident has to spend several minutes searching through the clutter.
He regularly cycles to the station to catch the train and shop at the nearby shopping centre. He finally finds a space next to a few old bikes that were missing parts.
Residents and community leaders said the clusters of bikes have been a challenge for the district for a long time. Some people use the free public parking spaces as dumping grounds for their old bicycles.
Lawmaker Stanley Li Sai-wing said that the issue was mainly because Sha Tin is home to many residents and is highly urbanised. Many people get around by bicycle in the neighbourhood.
To fix the parking issue, Li and the area’s district councillors have asked for information about recycling to be given to residents. They also want community organisers to work with officials to set up recycling facilities where residents can exchange or donate their old bikes.
