A user’s review of the 60km New Territories Cycle Network
A scenic, but somewhat disjointed riding experience that connects many of Hong Kong’s most iconic suburbsA few weeks ago I took a day off work to explore the New Territories Cycle Network that link Tai Po to Tuen Mun, a 50-plus kilometer ride that zigzags through the scenic suburbs of Hong Lok Yuen, Sheung Shui, Fanling and Yuen Long.
While the bulk of these new tracks are mostly quite enjoyable – if only to take in Hong Kong’s stunning Wetland Park – the new initiative is not without its problems.
Most of these problems are small, niggling interruptions, which you think could have been avoided by consulting the city’s thriving cycling community a bit more.
My trip started in Tai Po, where a good chunk of the cycling tracks are very smooth and on the whole quite pleasant. I’m a huge fan of Tai Po and the addition of these tracks that begin in Tai Mei Tuk have made it a family favourite as travel restrictions remain in place.
From Tai Po through to Hong Lok Yuen and into Sheung Shui it is a very enjoyable ride. There’s long, uninterrupted sections, it’s easy to navigate and there’s signs aplenty.
Read more: Best cycling routes in Hong Kong
Unfortunately, once you get past Sheung Shui and start making your way into Yuen Long, these new paths become fractured and at times difficult to navigate.
Some areas you get a run of what feels like 500 meters before you have to either jump to another section, cross the road or work your way around these annoying steel barriers that have been plonked at almost every juncture.
One of the stranger aspects of these bike tracks is the guttering, which lift about two inches off the path itself. Why they were not designed to sit flush is confusing. The most hilarious thing about this is the government’s patchwork solution to fix it. They have literally used pieces of scrap wood to soften the bumps.
Another flaw in the plan is the lack of signs telling you where they begin and where they end.
Once you get to Yuen Long the path just disappears and there’s no sign directing you to where it reconnects.
I have to admit it took me a while to get back on track. The government’s own HKeMobility app is completely useless unless you know exactly where you are going.
Despite these niggling issues, there are some stunning scenic sections that have Shenzhen on one side and the wetlands on the other, giving you this magnificent city and rural clash – something I love about Hong Kong.
Having just opened, it’s clear there is a lot of work that needs to be done to improve, especially with an additional 22-kilometre extension to Tsuen Wan set to open sometime next year.
On the whole it’s a step in the right direction as the number of two-wheel warriors continue to grow.
