… Another factor keeping riders off the roads is pollution.

The government revised its air quality objectives for the first time in 25 years in January, after university research showed pollution-related illnesses killed more than 3,000 residents a year.

Patrick Fung, campaign manager at the Clean Air Network, says the main source of pollution is traffic emissions. But his organisation is reluctant to make the promotion of cycling one of its primary goals.

“We have to be practical. There aren’t many bikers in Hong Kong and the roads are not really suitable for bikers for daily commuting,” he says.

He concedes it is a Catch 22 situation. People do not want to ride because of the pollution, but unless they get in the saddle the air quality is less likely to improve.

Hong Kong cyclists stuck at government red light | Bangkok Post: news.