Hong Kong Cyclothon organiser apologises after lead vehicle misdirects riders away from Ting Kau Bridge

The organiser of Hong Kong's 2026 Cyclothon has issued an apology after a lead vehicle wrongly steered participants away from the scenic Ting Kau Bridge section during the event on October 11, 2026. The 32km race, which saw around 6,000 cyclists participate, was set to traverse a picturesque route passing through Ting Kau Bridge and Stonecutters Bridge, offering "distinctive, spectacular urban and natural scenery," according to the Tourism Board.

However, due to a misjudgment by the lead vehicle, participants missed out on the iconic course experience, causing brief traffic congestion. The race started at the West Kowloon Cultural District. On the day of the event, two cyclists in a separate 56km race were injured near Ting Kau Bridge. To expedite medical treatment, emergency lanes were opened using traffic cones, leading ambulances directly to the injured cyclists.

The arrangement caused the pilot car to misinterpret the route adjustments, believing the Ting Kau Bridge path had changed. Consequently, the lead vehicle did not follow the planned course and proceeded towards Nam Wan Tunnel instead. The downhill stretch necessitated cyclists to follow into the tunnel for safety, resulting in brief bottlenecks along certain sections of the race, particularly near the finish line.