Thai PM: Cycling gains favour

30 Oct 2014  2041 | World Travel News

BANGKOK Ministry of Transport plans to build more bicycle lanes at tourist sites in the provinces to encourage bike lovers to pedal rather than tour sites by bus.
The ministry’s permanent secretary, Soithip Trisuddhi, said the programme would promote tourism in the provinces and encourage more people to ride bicycles. But before the scheme can be launched the transport and tourism ministries need to gather more information on safely procedures to ensure the bicycle lanes are user friendly and fit with each’s destination’s requirements.
The Ministry of Transport’s Department of Rural Roads has already built bicycle lanes in a number of provinces, but most of them are under used.
Inside4“The purpose of building bicycle lanes nationwide is to ensure we can promote good health by switching to bicycles instead of driving cars or motorcycles, conserve energy, strengthen family relations and there is the additional benefit that it can develop tourism.”
She said a bicycle lane was planned for Hew Pla Kang, now popular among visitors on the route to Khao Yai in Saraburi province.
In recent years, bicycling has become a popular mode of exercise for many health-conscious people. Even in Bangkok, cyclists brave the horrendous traffic jams to weave a path to work, although a major deterrent is the health damaging pollution emitted from cars and buses.
Provincial towns and tourism destinations are less congested and air quality is much higher than in the Thai capital.
The construction of bicycle lanes around the country also gained support from Thailand’s appointed Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha.
He said: “We want to promote greater use of bicycles and we want to make sure that cyclists can enjoy their sport with convenience and safety, plus cycling could help Thailand save on energy use and lower pollution.”
In fact, the campaign for more bicycle use and more bike lanes has continued for a long time. A lack of safe bicycle routes was cited as a key obstacle preventing more people from commuting on bikes.
There were attempts in the past to add cycle lanes on major roads in the city passing through tourist districts such as Sukhumvit and Ploenchit. The authorities painted lines on the pavements through a maze of stalls that packed both sides of Sukhumvit Road but few cyclists used them. Only the faded paint remains to remind residents.

sourced:ttrweekly.com 

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