Stories tagged with cycling
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Bangkok Planning Bicycle Lanes to Save Energy
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), in actuality the ‘city hall’ of the Thai capital, is planning to establish dedicated bicycle lanes in the city’s congested business areas and to implement operating licenses for cyclists, in order to promote safe cycling and to help the environment.
Bangkok’s governor, Apirak Kosayodhin, has indicated that the 1.2 metre-wide cycling lanes will be introduced as part of the new landscaping plans for the areas around Sathorn and Rama IV roads.
The BMA has said that it wants to encourage Bangkok residents to use bicycles to get around the more crowded areas of the city centre and will work with the national Land Transport Department in issuing cycling licenses to encourage safe riding practices.
Mr Apirak launched the bicycle campaign at an event in Bangkok’s Lumpini Park this past Wednesday.
He added that the city will also coordinate its efforts with the national Fine Arts Department for encouraging cycling in the historic Rattanakosin Island area of Bangkok, where conservation efforts are underway. Joint work with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is also underway to acquire expertise on historic site conservation.
The BMA intends to also designate routes that will enable Buddhists to safely offer food to monks in the early morning hours, and to beautify both business and tourist areas in the central business district, encompassing the Silom and Sathorn road areas.
Posted by: Andrew on 25 Jun 2008, 07:19 -
Dutchman finds fine biking in Bangkok
The Thai capital of Bangkok is not what most people would equate to a green city, let alone a good city to cycle through. But Dutchman Co Van Kessel has been running a successful business offering cycle tours of Bangkok for the last 20 years.
Van Kessel admits that to find the other side of a city known for its stand-still traffic, urban sprawl and air pollution takes some effort, but the hunch that told him 20 years ago that there was more to Bangkok than met the eye has paid off for him; and he now runs a good little business, catering almost exclusively to his fellow lowland bike lovers of the Netherlands.
According to Van Kessel, Bangkok remains "true to its people, yet mostly unknown to outsiders". He says he takes visitors to haven of peace and serenity still in the city limits of Bangkok’s cacophony. To learn more click here.
Posted by: DaveB on 30 Apr 2008, 19:31