In A First, Riders Get Bridge Experience In Cyclothon

Cyclists will get a chance to ride on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge for the first time when the Cyclothon makes a comeback in January, organisers of the event announced on Wednesday.

The Hong Kong Cyclothon, organised by the Tourism Board, was cancelled in 2019 and 2020 due to social unrest and the pandemic. It will return with a brand new route and virtual reality racing experience on January 16 next year.

Under the new route, riders will start from the Hong Kong Port – the starting point of the bridge in the SAR – and travel along the Scenic Hill Tunnel and the highway between Airport Channel and western waters. After completing the Hong Kong section of the bridge, they will make their return to the Hong Kong Port.

Registration will open on Saturday, with up to 3,000 participants allowed to take part.

Mason Hung, general manager of event and product development at the Tourism Board, says he expects a strong response.

“We anticipate there will be more than 3,000 interested parties to register for this event. Based on our previous experience, the registration normally will be fully registered within half a day. We anticipate this time it will be more or less the same."

Hung also said riders should not wear uniforms or display slogans carrying political meanings, adding anyone who fails to comply will be referred to law enforcement.

"We encourage all participants to refrain from doing that. It's a sporting event, an event for the public," he said.

The Tourism Board said participants are required to be fully vaccinated and get a negative test result within 48 hours before the event. They'll also have to use the LeaveHomeSafe app to take part.