Shaping Hong Kong's Olympic legacy

The implications of promoting healthier lifestyles impinged on the city's economic future as well as its general well-being, Fong pointed out.

"A healthy lifestyle requires integrated policies that support those who need it most. If people are worried about basic things like where to live, putting food on the table, or how to pay for medical treatment, they will not be prioritising sport or exercise," she said.

Enthusiasm for the Olympics may encourage more Hong Kong people to take up exercise and sport, Hildy Fong believes. [Photo/chinadailyapac.com]

"Poor health has an economic toll on health systems, so Hong Kong should be very aware of recognizing health inequities. Promoting health, like sports development should be available to everyone irrespective of income level."

Fong added: "It's very difficult for policy makers to make balanced policy decisions when their interests are dipped in so many pots. However, if public health is important, an essential factor to prioritize is preventing disease by improving physical and mental well-being through sport and exercise that is available and accessible — especially to those who are most unable to afford it."

The Hong Kong Cycling Alliance is this week completing a survey of Legislative Council candidates which Turner said revealed there was "huge support" for cycling issues from both individuals and parties.

"The pressure is for the government to recognise cycling as transport," he said. "This is the key to it. Once it's recognised as transport and part of the system, all the planning regulations for roads and policies will have to consider cycling as part of their processes.

"Then we will start to move forward just as Singapore did in 2009 when the transport department there made a declaration that cycling had been considered leisure but was now part of the transportation system. That's what we want to hear."

One of the most persuasive arguments for such a change to be made, Turner believes, is the power of good cycling does for a city's health. "Seventy-eight percent of people don't take adequate exercise in Hong Kong," he said. "Cycling increases the quality of your life and adds years to your life.

"Moderate cycling adds three years to your life and gives you a better quality life — and you get around faster too. It reduces diabetes and heart disease. Around 4,500 people died of heart disease in Hong Kong. How much could we reduce that by if more people cycled?

"Hundreds of thousands of people could get an improved quality of life. On an individual level, anyone can say they will be a happier, healthier person if they ride a bike — but on an organisational level there are billions of Hong Kong dollars to be saved in health care costs by not having all these people with sedentary diseases."

That potential transformation in public health could yet be the most glittering of cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze's achievements if the opportunity is seized to transform her Olympic success into a lasting legacy.