Car-free Days? Give Me A Break!

[toybits]

Car-free days and bicycles as an alternative form of transportation? Give me a break.

I was cycling from Wongwien Yai to Sukhumvit –Soi 12 for three years and never did it occur to the people at the office I work in to dump their cars and start biking – except perhaps for only one other person.

People spend 10’s of thousands of baht to join a fitness club, sweat it out in air-conditioned comfort when they could get the same amount of exercise moving their behinds from their homes to work (i.e. no kids to take to school and doesn’t live in Rangsit or Nonthaburi). But with air pollution and insane taxi and green bus drivers, maybe not surprising?

I just like the feeling of overtaking Benzes, BMWs, Volvos and even some Jags with my bicycle. Ha ha! With traffic so bad during rush hour, only bicycles and motorcycles move.

Oh, and when I started bicycling, my daily commute took less than half the time it took me with my car! I could leave the house later and arrive home much earlier. Fortunately, we had a shower room at the office. Good for rainy days and when the sun is blazing away.

I no longer live in Bkk (thank goodness) but still bike to work whenever I can. I clock at least 300 k each month on my trusty bike and have been able to encourage my two sons to bike from home to their school in Chiang Rai at least once a week during the winter season. Fortunately their school is just 5 minutes walk from my office. We live about 8 km outside of town.

Do you think more people would be biking to work in Chiang Rai? Don’t bet your life on it because there are only a handful of dedicated bicycle commuters in this town.

It will take more than a critical mass campaign to get Thais to dump their car for a bicycle. How about raising the price of fuel some more?

Edited September 25, 2007 by Ijustwannateach
Title Edited As Per OP.

[Scott]

I simply do not have the courage to ride a bike in BKK traffic. There are some real maniacs out there!

[madjbs]

And in other countries everyone rides around on bicycles right?

[toybits]

The first week was the most difficult time. Then you realize that the other cars are practically not moving, especially during rush hour. I'd be more careful during non-peak hours.

I simply do not have the courage to ride a bike in BKK traffic. There are some real maniacs out there!

[raybkk]

And in other countries everyone rides around on bicycles right?

In the Netherlands we do. More bicycles than people.

[raybkk]

(APOLOGIES- Title of this thread should be Car Free Days? Give me a break!

Car-free days and bicycles as an alternative form of transportation? Give me a break.

I was cycling from Wongwien Yai to Sukhumvit –Soi 12 for three years and never did it occur to the people at the office I work in to dump their cars and start biking – except perhaps for only one other person.

People spend 10’s of thousands of baht to join a fitness club, sweat it out in air-conditioned comfort when they could get the same amount of exercise moving their behinds from their homes to work (i.e. no kids to take to school and doesn’t live in Rangsit or Nonthaburi). But with air pollution and insane taxi and green bus drivers, maybe not surprising?

I just like the feeling of overtaking Benzes, BMWs, Volvos and even some Jags with my bicycle. Ha ha! With traffic so bad during rush hour, only bicycles and motorcycles move.

Oh, and when I started bicycling, my daily commute took less than half the time it took me with my car! I could leave the house later and arrive home much earlier. Fortunately, we had a shower room at the office. Good for rainy days and when the sun is blazing away.

I no longer live in Bkk (thank goodness) but still bike to work whenever I can. I clock at least 300 k each month on my trusty bike and have been able to encourage my two sons to bike from home to their school in Chiang Rai at least once a week during the winter season. Fortunately their school is just 5 minutes walk from my office. We live about 8 km outside of town.

Do you think more people would be biking to work in Chiang Rai? Don’t bet your life on it because there are only a handful of dedicated bicycle commuters in this town.

It will take more than a critical mass campaign to get Thais to dump their car for a bicycle. How about raising the price of fuel some more?

I wish I could do the same. However I am not in the position with different locations in bangkok that need daily visiting. However if I choose to just go to one office that is located downtown than I will take the bicycle for a spin. But only if I am not required to work in suit that day as we have no shower rooms. I think people would considder biking if shower units would be available at work space. BTS allows you to take the bike, but its a huge hassle!

[lazeeboy]

nice thought but too dangerous ,i'll stick to the gym thanks

[tingtong]

while it is great to bicycle, i dont see why it is good to arrive somewhere sweating; just like of the shower. I wouldnt like that.

true, the traffic is awful, but till only a few bikes, during the ride when i would need more oxigen, what my body would get more polluted air

i rather stick to my motorbike, which is crazy enough, yet still the only way to get around relative fast in BKK.

Bang bua thong is ok to bicycle around.

[elkangorito]

I hope you're wearing padding & kevlar body armour. You know? That stuff those nancies wear when they play that 'poor excuse for a football' game called 'grid' something or other.

[lawling]

I can never understand why so many people here seem to have such a hang up about the safety of cycling but seem happy enough to go out on motor-bikes.

[bkkmadness]

I was walking down the Sukhumvit road last night, from asoke to Suk 33. Noticed they put in bicycle lanes, but not at the side of the road, that of course would be too sensible. Instead, they chose right in the middle of the pavement! You'd probably need a mountain bike to get down there anyway, it's certainly off roading terrain.

Denmark and Holland are two prime examples of a countries that have brought cycling as a common means of transportation to the city.

It will not happen in Thailand for a long time though, if ever.

[bkkmadness]

I can never understand why so many people here seem to have such a hang up about the safety of cycling but seem happy enough to go out on motor-bikes.

Quicker to get out of the way of an oncoming bus on a motorbike.

[Florin]

They should increase taxes on anything more than 1 car / family, it would make everyone think a lot more about buying those extra cars...

I just hope I live to see a time when Segway-type vehicles become the norm for short-distance personal travel, they're great!

[Mozikillah]

ima go off topic for a sec..

I was wondering who on earth is rating each of the topics 1 star.. Over the past few days, ive seen alot of this.. mostly by 1 vote.. Hmmmmmmmm...

Anyhoo, back to the topic..

[elkangorito]

I can never understand why so many people here seem to have such a hang up about the safety of cycling but seem happy enough to go out on motor-bikes.

It's very simple...a motorbike is travelling closer to the speed of other vehicles. Providing this motorbike is not going in the opposite direction to the other vehicles, an impact with another vehicle will have a lesser effect than if a vehicle travelling at a slower speed (a bicycle) had the same impact.

Laws of physics...'vector quantities'.

Oh, BTW, this is one of the main reasons why 'round-a-bouts' are used. It's all about velocity (a vector quantity) & impact.

[Heng]

They should increase taxes on anything more than 1 car / family, it would make everyone think a lot more about buying those extra cars...

They should increase taxes for all cars. There isn't even enough room on the road for every single family to have a car. It's a natural psychological response I think for folks to set the bar 'just above' what they're doing for the environment, economy, their family, their country, etc. etc. "Anyone with more than 2 cars should be taxed higher.... with a larger than 3000 cc engine.... with more than one European car.... as long as your plane is a turbo prop and not a lear jet you shouldn't be taxed extra..." and so forth.

[FarangNoi21]

i can see riding a bike to work in singapore or hong kong, but not bangkok. i cant imagine driving a car in bangkok either. i cant imagine taking the subway or skytrain during rush hour either. i guess i am lucky to work online!

[bkkmadness]

Rush hour subway here is a breeze, you should try the underground in London's rush hour, horrible.

[mr_hippo]

Bangkok not safe for cycling - perhaps it is you who cannot cycle! Yes, I understand that you can sit on a bike, keep your balance and perhaps use your brakes and gears but can you cycle? People complain about the traffic in Bangkok but it is no better or worse than other large cities. The other road users are not safe - well in the words of my driving instructor, "Remember every other road user is a lunatic!" Bear that in mind. As a driver, you may not be aware of the road's condition but as a cyclist you have to be - potholes and grids can be a nuisance; in a car you have four points of contact with the road so if you go into a pothole, you still have 3 contact points [For our American posters, when I say bike, I am using the British definition - a bicycle, not motorcycle.] On a bike, if one wheel goes into a pothole, you may come off!

Positioning on the road is important - too far out and you will impede other road users but too far in and Somchai may open his car door and that can be painful; ride with confidence, not over confidence, and you will be OK. Even if the road is empty, keep away from the gutter, there's a lot of road debris in there but there can be 'treasure' in there - tools and coins to name but two!

Cycle lanes in Bangkok: I'm sorry but two painted lines on the pavement (sidewalk) do not make a cycle lane! Apart from traffic signals and stop signs, my first 'stop' is usually about 20/25kms, I don't want to stop every few seconds to dodge pedestrians and Lek's noodle cart. Dedicated cycle lanes, in a different asphalt; It can be done but can it be enforced here in Bangkok?

Traffic fumes? if you are cycling around Sukhumvit or Silom, you won't be travelling fast enough to breathe deeply so that isn't a problem.

I'll get sweaty!; Walk 2 kilometres and then cycle 2 kilometres, you will get there faster on a bike and not as sweaty.

[geriatrickid]

And in other countries everyone rides around on bicycles right?

Umm most big Canadian and many U.S. cities have reserved lanes for bikes. Aside from the always sexy & intelligent Dutch & Danes, many western european nations are embracing the joys of the bike. Before the airlines made it hel_l, I used to travel with my bike.

[toybits]

Cars are only slightly faster than a bicycle right after a stop light - until it hits more traffic up ahead. Then, the bicycle rules once more....

I can never understand why so many people here seem to have such a hang up about the safety of cycling but seem happy enough to go out on motor-bikes.

It's very simple...a motorbike is travelling closer to the speed of other vehicles. Providing this motorbike is not going in the opposite direction to the other vehicles, an impact with another vehicle will have a lesser effect than if a vehicle travelling at a slower speed (a bicycle) had the same impact.

Laws of physics...'vector quantities'.

Oh, BTW, this is one of the main reasons why 'round-a-bouts' are used. It's all about velocity (a vector quantity) & impact.

[toybits]

Regarding road conditions, I can relate with you. There are some places where the grill over a drainage opening has the metal grates running parallel with the road. My wheel got caught once and went through partially and bent my wheel rim. Tsk tsk...

But the traffic is like an obstacle course for me. Oh, I did wear a carbon filtered mask because of the car exhaust.

I did not like empty roads because vehicles tended to travel faster. No joy here because can't overtake those luxury cars and their bored passengers.

If you are going to wait for dedicated bike lanes you might as well wait forever because it aint gonno come dude....

Bangkok not safe for cycling - perhaps it is you who cannot cycle! Yes, I understand that you can sit on a bike, keep your balance and perhaps use your brakes and gears but can you cycle? People complain about the traffic in Bangkok but it is no better or worse than other large cities. The other road users are not safe - well in the words of my driving instructor, "Remember every other road user is a lunatic!" Bear that in mind. As a driver, you may not be aware of the road's condition but as a cyclist you have to be - potholes and grids can be a nuisance; in a car you have four points of contact with the road so if you go into a pothole, you still have 3 contact points [For our American posters, when I say bike, I am using the British definition - a bicycle, not motorcycle.] On a bike, if one wheel goes into a pothole, you may come off!

Positioning on the road is important - too far out and you will impede other road users but too far in and Somchai may open his car door and that can be painful; ride with confidence, not over confidence, and you will be OK. Even if the road is empty, keep away from the gutter, there's a lot of road debris in there but there can be 'treasure' in there - tools and coins to name but two!

Cycle lanes in Bangkok: I'm sorry but two painted lines on the pavement (sidewalk) do not make a cycle lane! Apart from traffic signals and stop signs, my first 'stop' is usually about 20/25kms, I don't want to stop every few seconds to dodge pedestrians and Lek's noodle cart. Dedicated cycle lanes, in a different asphalt; It can be done but can it be enforced here in Bangkok?

Traffic fumes? if you are cycling around Sukhumvit or Silom, you won't be travelling fast enough to breathe deeply so that isn't a problem.

I'll get sweaty!; Walk 2 kilometres and then cycle 2 kilometres, you will get there faster on a bike and not as sweaty.

[mr_hippo]

Regarding road conditions, I can relate with you. There are some places where the grill over a drainage opening has the metal grates running parallel with the road. My wheel got caught once and went through partially and bent my wheel rim. Tsk tsk...

Did you not see it?

But the traffic is like an obstacle course for me. Oh, I did wear a carbon filtered mask because of the car exhaust.

All major cities are like obstacle courses. Do you also use a mask when walking?

I did not like empty roads because vehicles tended to travel faster. No joy here because can't overtake those luxury cars and their bored passengers.

Vehicles may travel faster and so will you! I cycle because I enjoy it, not for the 'joy' of overtaking "luxury cars and their bored passengers"! I often cycle along Ram Intra from start to finish and car occupants are surprised when they see me 2, 3 or 4 times - quite often I am faster along there than they are

If you are going to wait for dedicated bike lanes you might as well wait forever because it aint gonno come dude....

All I said is that it can happen here, not that I am waiting for it to happen.

[BFD]

I saw a lovely scene in Chiang Mai last weekend:

They were having their No Car weekend. I was in a tuk-tuk, on my way to the airport, when I saw a whole horde of people coming up the street on the bikes. They were all singing a song together (I couldn't catch the words), but the best part is that they were singing along with the stereo in the TRUCK that was driving along with them! That's right, in order to promote 'No Car' day, they brought along a truck. I suppose semantics can justify just about anything...

BFD!

[mr_hippo]

That's right, in order to promote 'No Car' day, they brought along a truck. I suppose semantics can justify just about anything...

I will explain: on most large rides, support vehicles are in attendance for a number of reasons

1) In case of accidents, illness or mechanical breakdown.

2) To warn other road users that there is a large group of cyclists - either behind or in front. Sometimes, more than one vehicle!

3) Promotion and advertising, were there any signs on the truck?

[madjbs]

That reminds me, I have actually seen quite a few cycling groups in BKK and they seem to get quite a good turn out. There was a mountain bike group taking a break at Thammasat Uni the other day. Im not too sure if they found any good trails in central BKK

[kmart]

Kudos to anyone who is currently trying to reduce their "carbon footprint" here. And commiserations to any of you lycra-clad peddle-pushers that I clip with my Land Cruiser because you're blocking the road.

[mr_hippo]

Kudos to anyone who is currently trying to reduce their "carbon footprint" here. And commiserations to any of you lycra-clad peddle-pushers that I clip with my Land Cruiser because you're blocking the road.

And forgive me, if just after you clip me that as I try to regain my balance if my foot catches one of your door panels and puts a nasty dent in it. Then, in the old aged tradition, I can paint a Land Cruiser profile on the cross bar to add to all the others - Mini roof dented, numerous small cars tail light clusters broken, white Golf convertible - roof down and orange dink thrown into it - pity he had nice white leather upholstery and carpets, Ford Cortina's keys removed and hurled into the Leeds-Liverpool canal. I will, however, draw the line at squirting brake fluid all over your lovely paintwork, I have heard that being done but do not condone it. As you survey the damage, I am miles away!

[toybits]

Did I see the grate? Yup but too late because I was tail gating a taxi to draft... heh heh...

No, I don't wear a mask when walking along the streets of Bkk. I just..... hold my breath...

Oh, I cycle for fun as well... Have been for the last 13 years in Thailand. I bike in Chiang Rai now because this is where I live. There are plenty of hills and some single tracks. Will be getting a dirt bike soon - then I can survey more trails....

Don't get me wrong. I also wish that there were more dedicated bike lanes. Its just that I have very pragmatic view of that ever happening within my lifetime. If Petrol goes up to Bt 100/litre, then perhaps some changes might just occur....

Regarding road conditions, I can relate with you. There are some places where the grill over a drainage opening has the metal grates running parallel with the road. My wheel got caught once and went through partially and bent my wheel rim. Tsk tsk...

Did you not see it?

But the traffic is like an obstacle course for me. Oh, I did wear a carbon filtered mask because of the car exhaust.

All major cities are like obstacle courses. Do you also use a mask when walking?

I did not like empty roads because vehicles tended to travel faster. No joy here because can't overtake those luxury cars and their bored passengers.

Vehicles may travel faster and so will you! I cycle because I enjoy it, not for the 'joy' of overtaking "luxury cars and their bored passengers"! I often cycle along Ram Intra from start to finish and car occupants are surprised when they see me 2, 3 or 4 times - quite often I am faster along there than they are

If you are going to wait for dedicated bike lanes you might as well wait forever because it aint gonno come dude....

All I said is that it can happen here, not that I am waiting for it to happen.

[sonicdragon]

i can see riding a bike to work in singapore or hong kong, but not bangkok. i cant imagine driving a car in bangkok either. i cant imagine taking the subway or skytrain during rush hour either. i guess i am lucky to work online!

Never heard of anyone riding a bike to work in HK, I guess there must be some though. Come to think of it, I can't remember the last time I saw a pushbike in HK ! I'll be on the lookout.