Hong Kong, which will host the equestrian events of the Beijing Olympics, is encouraging spectators to use public transportation, and even bikes, during the Aug.8-24 Games, said Cindy Law, the assistant commissioner for transport in Hong Kong on Thursday.

Law said the Olympic equestrian company was responsible for providing vehicles for the athletes, officials and media staff during the competition, while the transport department would try its best to minimize the impact on traffic.

"There will be up to 18,000 spectators per game during the competition and the biggest challenge for us is to arrange such large amount of people to arrive and leave the venues as smoothly as possible."

According to Wong Chi-hung, senior engineer of the Hong Kong transport department, the Olympic equestrian company would provide 260 vehicles and 65 sightseeing buses for the accredited people.

Meanwhile, shuttle buses will be arranged at appointed subway stations to commute the spectators.

"The subway lines in Hong Kong extend in all directions," said Wong. "So the spectators could take the trains to the university or Fanling stations, then catch the shuttle buses to the venues at Shatin or Beas River."

"Moreover, we even encourage the spectators to ride bikes, which is a green means of transport,"added Wong. "We are going to build more parking lots for bikes near the venues."

Besides, the transport department designed a pedestrian route for the events, along which the spectators could walk from the Sheung Shui station to the venue at Beas River in 15 to 20 minutes.

As for the transport of horses, Wong said the transport department would make sure the roads were unblocked and prepare emergency measures in case the horses got lost during the transportation.

The Olympic equestrian events will run from August 9 to 21, with jumping and dressage events held in Shatin and the cross country competition in Beas River.

(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2008)