I know you're just being contrary, but one major problem is that this platform will only have enough space for half the bikes on the pier now. So it's impossible to tell everyone to park there. So no one will bother, since after the first dozen places near the pier are taken the rest will be a pain to get to.

The people who come late and double park their bikes near to the gate and don't give a shit will still do that.

Twenty years ago they should have put racks and signs along the pier and regulated it and there would never have been a problem. Would cost about $100,000. But that wouldn't put $18 million in the pockets of the construction companies and their friends.

Alan, pointing out the capacity problem of the bike park repeatedly might encourage them to enlarge it dramatically?

The CE has signed off on the project and all the relevant Govt. Depts. are set now on building it ASAP; is it too late for complaints?

Off for a bike ride to Pak Kok now....

By the way, here's an informative report from Damon Wong about the CPA consultation (in Chin. only):
http://www.inmediahk.net/node/1015800

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They'd need twice or more the budget to make a usable CPA in the same style, which of course YLF would be happy to spend, but it was already close to the limit for "Rural Minor Works". Even if they acknowledged any problems I or anyone else has been pointing out for the last 4-5 years, which of course they never have.

Obviously they never bothered to even count the number of bikes or survey users. They just took the maximum budget and asked how much concrete that would buy. Then tried to think of somewhere to put it and a plausible excuse.
Ten years ago, they wanted to pour exactly the same slab in the same place, but then it was supposed to be a "VV parking area". When that became redundant with the new kaido pier, they just made a few cosmetic changes and made it into a "CPA". Total ass-backwards planning. Not the slightest concern for any cyclists or pedestrians, just a boondoggle designed to give money to the well-connected contractors.

Integrating parking with the last refit of the pier could have achieved a better result at 1% of the cost, years ago.

The bicycle parking area will, quite obviously and inevitably, be a pile of shite. If not I will eat hat.

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News submitted by Living Lamma:

"Dear friends and fellow Lamma residents.

I just got an urgent email from Jo Wilson of Living Lamma who has noticed a sign on the bridge leading to the library which says the Civil Engineering Department ( CEDD) is to go ahead with the bike park build in August.

There is period in which to complain.... but the deadline is Thu, May 23, so if you have a couple of mins, please copy the letter below or write in your own words and send to tellme@1823.gov.hk as soon as possible today. Then, forward this to more Lamma friends, or put a notice on Facebook NOW!!!

The ongoing sorry saga is outlined below... If you need more info or details about this story, ask Jo Wilson.

Your letter will make a difference. The more the better! Many thanks.<HR>
From: Jo Wilson <jowilsonhk@yahoo.com>
Date: 21 May, 2013 9:44:23 AM HKT
To: "tellme@1823.gov.hk" <tellme@1823.gov.hk>
Cc: "livinglamma@yahoo.com" <livinglamma@yahoo.com>
Subject: Complaint

I am writing to complain about the manner in which the Lands Department has posted a notice on Lamma and to the project to which the notice refers.

The notice pertains to CEDD's application to spend HK$15 million on a bike park. Only 7 days is given to object - not long enough, particularly as the way in which the notice has been posted makes it very difficult for people to see it (see attached).

The bike park and the way in which District Office has conducted itself is currently the subject of an Ombudsman's investigation. There were. In total 104 written complaints submitted to the Transport Department during the gazetting period. We believe those objections still stand as no action has been taken to address them.

District Office ignored expert opinion by a world leading bike park designer in pushing through this plan. We are now trying to ascertain what was presented for him to approve a plan that will at best only accommodate 260 of the 470 bikes currently parked on the pier.

We most certainly object to CEDD carry out this work."

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Received this email yesterday after I sent complaint to 1823

" I refer to your email dated 21.5.2013 to 1823, the content of which is duly noted and receiving attention. I shall revert to you in due course.

Regards,
Susan LAM
Land Executive, Acquisition 2, District Lands Office, Islands
2852 4261 "

Let's see if I will receive any further email ....

Here's a hazard of the CPA I hadn't considered.


A sign outside of a bicycle parking lot in Chiba, Japan, warns "Beware of groping".
In Japan, men who grope women in public are called chikan. Although crowded trains are the most frequent targets, another common setting is bicycle parking areas, where people bending over unlocking locks are targets.

Great - thanks for the tip