Over 10 cyclists injured during Sha Tin Cycling Festival

The organizer of the inaugural Sha Tin Cycling Festival acknowledged the shortcomings in event preparation after 11 cyclists were injured during the race, which featured over 700 participants on Sunday morning.

The injuries included nine males and two females, most of whom sustained minor scratches and bruises, while two of them had to be sent to the hospital for further treatment.

One of the accidents happened when a cyclist lost control and crashed into the first aid post during the race, triggering a series of collisions involving more than ten bikes. One participant with a shoulder injury was carried off the track on a stretcher.

Furthermore, another cyclist tripped over a large banner at the side of the track while passing the starting point. Some cyclists also reported loose gravel on the track, as well as uneven road surfaces.

The race for the elite group was shortened from 25 laps to 12 laps due to incidents.

Hong Kong Flash Exchange Association, the organizer of the event, acknowledged a lapse in their preparations due to insufficient time for road cleaning. The Association stated that it would improve communication with the relevant authorities while underscoring that the referee panel had approved the track safety and event materials.

The event ambassador, three-time Asian Games gold medalist Wong Kam-po, believed that the track met the safety requirement and added that collisions caused most accidents, as cyclists might have struggled to maintain their positions due to a lack of experience or nerves.