Recreational Cyclists in Mai Po
Your help is needed to report illegal entry by recreational cyclists into the Mai Po restricted area.
請幫忙舉報違法進入米埔保護區限制範圍的單車使用者。
Cycling is becoming a popular activity in Hong Kong and the past 12-months has seen an increase in the volume of recreational cyclists using the Tam Kon Chau Road, the road leading to Mai Po.
近年單車運動成為香港人熱門的活動之一，過去一年擔杆洲路 (即連接青山公路至米埔停車場的路段) 上的單車使用者明顯增加。
Sometimes these cyclists stray into the Mai Po restricted area by cycling along the Frontier Closed Area (FCA) road despite clear signage requesting them not to do so. Aside from illegally entering the Reserve without a valid permit, unfortunately these cyclists often behave inappropriately such as being excessively noisy, or can disturb wildlife by wearing brightly coloured clothes. Of particular concern is the potential impact this has on Black-faced Spoonbill roosting in the northern Mai Po gei wai alongside the FCA road.
雖然連接米埔保護區的各個路口均有豎立了警告牌，偶爾單車使用者仍經由邊境鐵絲網旁的車路闖入保護區限制範圍。除了未持有效許可證違法進入保護區外，不幸地部分單車使用者更在保護區製造噪音，或是穿著可干擾野生生物的鮮艷衣飾。當中最令人擔心的是，他們可能對在保護區北面基圍棲息的黑臉琵鷺造成滋擾。
AFCD recently prosecuted a number of these cyclists which is good news because it sends out a strong message to the cycling community. WWF will continue to work with AFCD and the Border Police to find a long-term solution to the problem particularly as the situation could worsen following the official opening up of the FCA sections near Mai Po in spring 2012, and the construction of a new cycle track close to Mai Po in a few years’ time.
近期漁農自然護理署成功檢控數個違法單車使用者，望可對單車使用者起警惕作用。而世界自然基金會亦會繼續與漁護署及警務處合作研究長遠解決方案。我們預計《禁區開放政策》於本年春季實施後，加上數年後鄰近米埔的新界北區單車徑啟用，問題將進一步惡化。
Meantime, HKBWS members can help by contacting the AFCD warden post (Office hour 08:00 – 18:00, Tel 2471 4411) should they encounter such cyclists inside Mai Po. The warden will then intercept those people and prosecute if found to be an illegal entry case. Please remember a handful of birdwatchers/researchers are permitted to use bicycles along the FCA under the WWF registration system, so please don’t mistake them for recreational cyclists. The difference is quite obvious.
現時各香港觀鳥會會員如在保護區發現違法單車使用者，可向漁護署米埔自然護理員辦事處 (辦公時間；08:00-18:00，電話；2471 4411) 舉報，漁護署自然護理員會制止並對違法人士作出檢控。請注意，已向世界自然基金會登記的觀鳥者/研究人員可在邊境鐵絲網旁的車路使用單車，分別顯而易見，請不要把他們與其他違法單車使用者混淆。
Thank you,
Mai Po Office
