bc magazine

Cyclothon Returns in 2022

Local 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 2022.

Organised by the HK Tourism Board (HKTB) the Cyclothon returns after its hiatus with a brand new route and a virtual reality racing experience.

The new route has riders start from the Hong Kong Port – the starting point of the bridge in the SAR – and travel through the Scenic Hill Tunnel and along the highway between Airport Channel and western waters and onto the Hong Kong section of the bridge. Riders will then return to the Hong Kong Port.

Registration, which opens on Saturday, is limited to 3,000 participants – who are required to be fully vaccinated and get a negative test result within 48 hours before the event.

Mason Hung, general manager of event and product development at the HK Tourism Board said riders should not wear uniforms or display slogans carrying political meanings, adding anyone who fails to comply will be referred to law enforcement.

There will also be a ‘virtual cyclothon‘ – if you have an android tablet – where from 3-16 January cyclists from around the world can join the virtual race featuring an animated event route mimicking the unique 26 km Cyclothon route.

Don’t have an android tablet then head to Sports Expo in Mongkok or AME E-sports Stadium in TST to enjoy the 45-minute ride.

Cyclothon
Date: 16 January, 2022
Venue: Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge
Tickets: $750, $500
More info: registration www.discoverhongkong.com/cyclothon

Surprise, Surprise… Not! Sevens Postponed Again

To no one’s great surprise the Hong Kong Rugby Union have announced that next year’s Hong Kong Sevens will be postponed, from April to 4-6 November 2022.

The HKRU commented, “It’s basically because the prevailing quarantine and travel restrictions are too difficult to bring in international teams.”

“We’re very disappointed for the rugby community here in Hong Kong and the fans around the world who look forward to the event. But equally, public health is the number one priority and we respect that.”

When asked if the postponement will affect Hong Kong’s reputation in the rugby world: “I don’t think it’s so much affecting Hong Kong’s reputation in the rugby world.”

“I think for all of the major sports events, the ‘M’ Mark events, it’s important we retain our respective places in the global sporting calendar. I think the thing that we are all really concerned about is ensuring that we can get back to hosting these events so that we don’t lose slots on the calendar and Hong Kong retains its place as an important destination for international sports events.”

HK Sevens – Rescheduled
Date: 4-6 November, 2022
Venue: HK Stadium
Tickets: $1,950 (tbc)

Foodpanda Delivery Staff Strike Over Plunging Fees

Angry delivery staff at Foodpanda are staging a two-day strike over the company’s unreasonable cuts in delivery fees.

Protesting staff, carrying banners including “Stop unreasonable pay cuts” and “Foodpanda treats us like slaves!”, gathered outside the firm’s Pandamart warehouse in Kwun Tong where a spokesman Mr Cheng said the company had been cutting fees since the beginning of the year.

The fee for motorcyclists has dropped to $40 per order and for cyclists and on-foot delivery staff to $20-odd. Cheng added, “We have finally reached the bottom of the barrel this time, so we have finally broken out and started a strike!”

According to delivery staff, Foodpanda has reduced the minimum delivery fee several times since January this year on the grounds that it was “for the long-term development of the company” and “to increase the bonus during peak hours”, reducing the fee by at least $10 per order.

Cheng said they would need to work 10% more orders than in January to earn the same salary. Staff are demanded a pay rise, increasing the delivery fee to $50 per order for motorcyclists and $35 for cyclists and on-foot deliverers.

When Foodpanda was first established in Hong Kong, delivery staff were employed on a contract basis. Now they are self-employed, which means no benefits such as sick leave, work injury insurance and MPF. Cheng also said that the delivery staff could be involved in traffic accidents or have their orders cancelled due to “theft of food”. They strongly demanded a pay rise, increasing the delivery fee to $50 per order for motorcyclists and $35 for cyclists and on-foot deliverers.

When Foodpanda was first established in Hong Kong, delivery staff were employed on a contract basis, but now they are self-employed. As a result, delivery workers now lack benefits such as sick leave, work injury insurance and MPF.

Cheng said that delivery staff could be involved in traffic accidents or have their orders cancelled due to “theft of food.” If an order is cancelled two to three times, their account will be suspended for 7 days and they will not be able to work. He added that the company often does not check the reason for an order cancellation, leaving deliverers with no job security and seriously affecting their livelihood.

Apparently, employees can express their opinions through the company’s mobile phone software if they have any complaints. Cheng said, “Bullshit, that’s impossible.” If Foodpanda doesn’t address their concern Cheng said the strike action might escalate.

image: inmediahk

Adiós Coyote

After almost 23 years and too many frozen margaritas and shots of tequila to count Coyote Wanchai shut its doors last night for the final time.

Another ‘victim’ of greedy landlords who have destroyed so many businesses in Hong Kong. Sadly, there are now more empty/closed former bars/restaurants on Wanchai’s Lockhart Road than open ones.

Surely in the middle of a global pandemic, with no tourists likely for at least another six months – as a landlord it’s better to have some money coming in than to have your place sit empty for months…

Anyway, Coyote is gone like so many others over the years. There were a surprising number of people having a last drink who were also there on opening night…

A final few bcene photos…

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2021/20211111-Coyote-Wanchai-Adios/i-MVZ85j7

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Gay Games 11 Announces New Dates

It’s Official! The revised dates for the eleventh Gay Games in Hong Kong are 3-11 November 2023.

The organising committee announced the new dates, a new logo and website, www.gghk2023.com. But said that the #UnityInDiversity message remains the same as they want to make the Gay Games in Asia the most diverse and inclusive ever.

The updated logo sees the six colours of the pride rainbow on the iconic Sampan joined by the additional colours of Black, Brown, Pink, Baby Blue and White. “Inspired by Daniel Quasar’s Progress Pride Flag, the new colours represent the marginalised communities of people of colour, trans individuals, those living with HIV/AIDS and those who have been lost; their inclusion into our icon reflects our genuine hope to celebrate diversity, inclusion and community in the widest possible sense.”

The 9-day events program for 2023 remains the same and features 36 Sport Events, an Arts & Culture programme, a Festival Village and the Opening/Closing Ceremonies.

The games are open to all adults over 18, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality, or ability.

Gay Games Hong Kong 2023
Date: 3-11 November, 2023
Venue: Hong Kong
Tickets: Free

Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre Reopens

After an extensive revamp of its exhibition materials, the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre at the Sam Tung Uk Museum in the New Territories has reopened.

Declared a historical monument in 1981, Sam Tung Uk is a 200-year-old Hakka walled village that was converted into a museum in 1987. In 2016, the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office opened the “Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre” to raise awareness of local Hong Kong culture.

The new Lost and Sound – Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage exhibit is a combination of three exhibitions exploring the vibrancy of local folk culture.

The themes of the exhibition series are Hong Kong Festivals and Traditional Craftsmanship, Ordinary ∙ Extraordinary and Sam Tung Uk and Traditional Village Culture.

Showcased are an array of local traditional cultures and craftsmanship including the techniques for making flower boards, lion heads, wood carving, Hong Kong cheongsams, guangcai, Chiu Chow sugar loafs, mahjong tiles, galvanised iron products, dim sum and bamboo steamers, as well as performances in traditional festivals such as hand puppet Cantonese opera, bayin (eight categories of instrumental music) and unicorn dance.

Sam Tung Uk Museum
2 Kwu Uk Lane,
Tsuen Wan, New Territories

Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday to Sunday – 10 am to 6 pm.
Entry is Free

Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2021

They died for our freedom and we should never forget..
At the going down of the sun…
And in the morning…
We shall remember them

Volunteers young & old, are selling poppies in support of the Royal British Legion on the streets of Central on 13 November, 2021.

Poppies can be obtained at the following location:
Temporary Poppy Depot at Room 3505, The Landmark Edinburgh Tower, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong (Tel : 2713 3315).
Opening hours: Mondays-Fridays 9am-5pm

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Poppy-Appeal-7-November-2020/i-b9VtNq5

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Images: Royal British Legion Hong Kong

Hong Kong French Film Festival Celebrates 5 Decades

The Hong Kong French Film Festival (HKFFF) celebrates its 50th edition this year. Since 1953, the festival has brought more than 1600 French films to local screens.

Organized by the Alliance Française de Hong Kong, and featuring more than 50 films, the 50th HKFFF runs from 24 November – 14 December at 5 cinemas. A full screening schedule can be found on the festival’s website.

The HKFFF’s opens with two films Martin Bourboulon‘s Eiffel and Titane by Julia Ducournau. There’s a tribute to female directors and a collaboration with Greenpeace – Cinema for the Climate.

50th Hong Kong French Film Festival
Date: 24 November – 14 December, 2021
Venue: Various cinema and online
Tickets: various
More info:
www.hkfrenchfilmfestival.com