With Gas Prices Rising, Why Not...

[samsara]

using a bicycle costs less. i wont argue this. but who on earth honestly believes that riding a bicycle is safer than driving a car? youre completely powerless when riding a bike. dunno about you, but i tend to prefer to at least have SOME power over my fate in heavy traffic. its not worth the minimal monetary gain. what if it rains, my man? carry an umbrella? lol during the rainy season, it rains almost daily during late-afternoon rush hour...have fun on your bike.

[mr_hippo]

using a bicycle costs less. i wont argue this. but who on earth honestly believes that riding a bicycle is safer than driving a car? youre completely powerless when riding a bike. dunno about you, but i tend to prefer to at least have SOME power over my fate in heavy traffic. its not worth the minimal monetary gain. what if it rains, my man? carry an umbrella? lol during the rainy season, it rains almost daily during late-afternoon rush hour...have fun on your bike.

Now, where did I or anyone else say that it is safer than driving a car? Nowhere! How am I completely powerless? I am in complete control. What happens when it rains? I have two options - get wet or shelter! I prefer to shelter.

[swain]

I live just outside of Chiang Mai proper... and mostly where I want to go is available by bike with out much traffic.. back roads.. nice.. but even then I only take the bike when its cool or over cast... my little motorbike is fun and you don't spend much in the way of fuel and your not sweaty and stinky when you get to where your going. I want to opt for the human powered bike but get seduced into the motorbike... I have a car but now a days I only start it up once every couple of days to make sure the battery is charged..

[samsara]

using a bicycle costs less. i wont argue this. but who on earth honestly believes that riding a bicycle is safer than driving a car? youre completely powerless when riding a bike. dunno about you, but i tend to prefer to at least have SOME power over my fate in heavy traffic. its not worth the minimal monetary gain. what if it rains, my man? carry an umbrella? lol during the rainy season, it rains almost daily during late-afternoon rush hour...have fun on your bike.

Now, where did I or anyone else say that it is safer than driving a car? Nowhere! How am I completely powerless? I am in complete control. What happens when it rains? I have two options - get wet or shelter! I prefer to shelter.

OP said it was less stressful. that infers that its safer if you ask me. more dangerous but its less stressful??? umm, no lol.

those ARE your options, indeed, but then youre actually LOSING time and perhaps LOSING money as well as you bide your time until the rain subsides.

outside of bangkok, bikes are great. in bkk, probably your worst option out there. hitch-hiking would be worse, i guess.

[madjbs]

I would probably rather cycle than get on a motorcycle taxi.

[dave111223]

I'm sure taking deep breaths of the downtown bangkok traffic air does wonders for the lining of your lungs too. But then again i bet wearing a little cloth mask would take care of that...right...

[samsara]

I'm sure taking deep breaths of the downtown bangkok traffic air does wonders for the lining of your lungs too. But then again i bet wearing a little cloth mask would take care of that...right...

nah, OP would suggest you hold your breath for long intervals, which has the added benefit of increasing lung capacity!!!

[mr_hippo]

OP said it was less stressful. that infers that its safer if you ask me. more dangerous but its less stressful??? umm, no lol.

those ARE your options, indeed, but then youre actually LOSING time and perhaps LOSING money as well as you bide your time until the rain subsides.

outside of bangkok, bikes are great. in bkk, probably your worst option out there. hitch-hiking would be worse, i guess.

Less stressful does not imply less danger. If you have a stressful job, does that mean it is a dangerous one? You also say that it rains nearly every day during the afternoon rush hour, now where are most people going then? Home! All traffic is delayed during rain showers or haven't you noticed?

I'm sure taking deep breaths of the downtown bangkok traffic air does wonders for the lining of your lungs too. But then again i bet wearing a little cloth mask would take care of that...right...

Do you wear a mask when walking? If you cycle at a gentle 10-12 kph, you will only be using the same if not less energy than walking so no need for a mask.

[samsara]

OP said it was less stressful. that infers that its safer if you ask me. more dangerous but its less stressful??? umm, no lol.

those ARE your options, indeed, but then youre actually LOSING time and perhaps LOSING money as well as you bide your time until the rain subsides.

outside of bangkok, bikes are great. in bkk, probably your worst option out there. hitch-hiking would be worse, i guess.

Less stressful does not imply less danger. If you have a stressful job, does that mean it is a dangerous one? You also say that it rains nearly every day during the afternoon rush hour, now where are most people going then? Home! All traffic is delayed during rain showers or haven't you noticed?

I'm sure taking deep breaths of the downtown bangkok traffic air does wonders for the lining of your lungs too. But then again i bet wearing a little cloth mask would take care of that...right...

Do you wear a mask when walking? If you cycle at a gentle 10-12 kph, you will only be using the same if not less energy than walking so no need for a mask.

so then youre actually saying that biking, while more dangerous, is LESS stressful? OOOOOOOOK.

all traffic is delayed, sure, but see when you take public trans or a vehicle you can actually make progress. on the other hand, your butt is stuck back at the office or wherever else you can manage to kill time while you wait for the rain to stop, if it does...

so breath the smoke in but dont inhale? lol

man, even the mormon nazis dont ride their bikes in bkk! thought they were the looniest ones around...

[Jimjim]

The OP can't be serious

And why not?

Have you never heard of the BTS or motorcyle taxis?

Do you have a death wish?

Surely you can't be serious. Are you suggesting motorcycle taxis are safe? Far from it.

[mr_hippo]

Why are you still equating stress with danger? Two separate things. It is you that is saying that it is more dangerous - not I. How is your reading comprehension? What do you think I am saying "If you cycle at a gentle 10-12 kph, you will only be using the same if not less energy than walking so no need for a mask." So when you are walking in Bangkok, do you wear a mask?

Now, excuse me but I'm about to have my breakfast and go for a nice, stress-free 40km ride.

[JRinger]

think about changing your horsepower for pedal power occasionally?

Bicycle in Bangkok

Does anyone remember photographer, Paul Rament who lost his leg while riding his bicycle in Bangkok ?

[mr_hippo]

think about changing your horsepower for pedal power occasionally?

Bicycle in Bangkok

Does anyone remember photographer, Paul Rament who lost his leg while riding his bicycle in Bangkok ?

That was fiction - a novel Slow Man by JM Coetzee and the accident happened in Adelaide! Are you sure that you have the name right?

[Alonso's Army]

You will be get no respect for riding a bike in Thailand any will be given no right of way.

[Neeranam]

The OP can't be serious

And why not?

Have you never heard of the BTS or motorcyle taxis?

Do you have a death wish?

Surely you can't be serious. Are you suggesting motorcycle taxis are safe? Far from it.

A lot safer than a bicycle.

I think Mr.Hippo must own shares in a cycle shop in Bangkok.

[Scott]

I enjoy riding bike. I find it relaxing, exhilerating and just plain fun, but I would never ride a bike in Bangkok. It is far too dangerous. If prices for gas go high enough, I will walk first.

Of course, if prices go high enough, we may all be on bikes and then it will be a level playing field and less dangerous!

[samsara]

Why are you still equating stress with danger? Two separate things. It is you that is saying that it is more dangerous - not I. How is your reading comprehension? What do you think I am saying "If you cycle at a gentle 10-12 kph, you will only be using the same if not less energy than walking so no need for a mask." So when you are walking in Bangkok, do you wear a mask?

Now, excuse me but I'm about to have my breakfast and go for a nice, stress-free 40km ride.

dude, seriously, your arguments are beyond absurd! YOU are the one who said riding a bicycle is less stressful...how in gods name is it LESS stressful if its more dangerous? youve backhandedly acknowledged that its more dangerous already. regardless, if you dont think its more dangerous then youre a lost cause.

be sure to pray and visit the temple before you embark on your 40km sukhumvit journey

[mr_hippo]

A lot safer than a bicycle.

I think Mr.Hippo must own shares in a cycle shop in Bangkok.

On this morning's ride, I saw three motorcycle accidents but no bicycle accidents. What does this prove? Nothing!

No, I do not own shares in a bike shop anywhere!

Why are you still equating stress with danger? Two separate things. It is you that is saying that it is more dangerous - not I. How is your reading comprehension? What do you think I am saying "If you cycle at a gentle 10-12 kph, you will only be using the same if not less energy than walking so no need for a mask." So when you are walking in Bangkok, do you wear a mask?

Now, excuse me but I'm about to have my breakfast and go for a nice, stress-free 40km ride.

dude, seriously, your arguments are beyond absurd! YOU are the one who said riding a bicycle is less stressful...how in gods name is it LESS stressful if its more dangerous? youve backhandedly acknowledged that its more dangerous already. regardless, if you dont think its more dangerous then youre a lost cause.

be sure to pray and visit the temple before you embark on your 40km sukhumvit journey

First of all, I understand that English is probably not your native tongue. Show me my post where I have "backhandedly acknowledged that its more dangerous already."? I think I know where your thinking comes from! It is from my original post where I am dispelling certain 'myths' about cycling in Bangkok. I forgot to put the first myth in quotes so here it is now "Bangkok roads are too dangerous", they are not my words but what other people have said. Bangkok roads are no more dangerous than other capital cities as long as you understand certain local conditions.

How do you turn my 'nice, stress-free 40km ride' into 'your 40km sukhumvit journey'? Yes, I did enjoy my morning ride - 44.83kms from Lat Phrao to Wang Hin, then along Lat Plakhao to Kasert-Nawamin. At the end of Kasert-Nawamin I turned right onto Nawamin Road heading towards BangKapi. Turning off before BangKapi, I went along Sriburapha Road to Seri Thai and then to Suan Siam. I returned via Ram Intra, Nawamin and Kasert-Nawamin.

[Naam]

cycling to work and changing clothes after cycling = bullsh∞t. case closed

[Naam]

for Hippos a motorcycle with side-car is mandatory

[samsara]

hippo, are you older? do you work? are you a hippie conservationist? just dont see the pt in persuading people to endanger their lives, thats all. for you it obviously works, but for the vast majority of mankind, it obviously does not -- judging by the reception of this thread. and i have one suggestion for YOU: check out a book on logic from the local library, then revisit the ultra-sound argument youve presented in this thread.

[ChueachatsBoy]

think about changing your horsepower for pedal power occasionally?

Do you need your car to go to the local 7-11? Do you need the stress of the traffic jam? I am not suggesting that we should sell the car - it is useful at times. There are plenty of myths about cycling in Bangkok and other large cities, let's try to dispel them now.

1) Bangkok roads are too dangerous - name me one capital city where the roads are safe? A lot of expats either have a car or a motorcycle and have adapted their driving style to fit in with Bangkok traffic. Use those same skills when you are on a bicycle.

2) "I'll get hot and sweaty". Even walking in Bangkok will get you 'hot & sweaty'! How fast do you want to ride on a bike? Yes, you will get hot and sweaty if you try to emulate Lance Armstrong but a gentle ride of 10-12 kph will not. At that speed, you will generate a gentle breeze on you which will cool you down, you will find that you would sweat more if you walked one kilometre than cycled it.

3) "I need a shower and a wardrobe in work." - No, you don't! When I used to commute - distances between 14 and 20 kms, I used to leave a pair of shoes in work and get a cab once a week when I would take in a pair of trousers, five shirts, a towel, underwear and socks in a suit bag. A quick strip wash and I was good to go.

If you live within 6 kms of work or one of the 'Park & Ride' facilities, you won't even need to take a change of clothing. You will arrive quicker and feel refreshed. Yes, we know that you drive a Toyota Fortuner or a Honda Civic but when you are stuck in traffic, I have already passed you and I'm on my merry way! If you and I were to start off at the junction of Suan Siam Road and Ram Intra at rush hour and go to Laksi Monument (about 13kms), I'll wait for you at Laksi, I'll be the one with the ice-cold Pepsi in my hand and a smile on my face!

yeah and I'll be the one that arrives in my car, already drinking my ice-cold Pepsi and won't have to change my clothes.

If I get stuck in traffic, I never get stressed about it. I can listen to music, read a paper, watch TV (when stationary), talk on my phone (hands free) all in the comfort and safety of my air-con car. oh yeah! and I'll never get wet or have to stop somewhere when its raining.

Anyway, I have noticed a lot more Thai's riding bicycles, and most of them have no idea - cycling in the middle of the road (soi) making it hard to over take and causing traffic, or if they're on the side, they're wobbling/swerving all over the place. However! nearly every morning I used to see this one farang guy on a bicycle and I have to say he had more road sense, keeping to the side, straight line, fast and arm out when wanting to turn.

Well we all know how most Thai's drive, so its going to make no difference when they're on a bicycle - just don't care, untill they get hit.

[pampal]

I ride often in BKK and feel safer on my bicycle than I do on a motosai taxi or most regular taxis. I control where I ride and how I ride, it's actually much safer riding your bike in traffic than when there is no traffic, the reason being the speeds involved, more traffic means slower speeds. Most ppl have problems understanding that part of the equation.

Ride on Mr_Hippo

[sgtpeppers]

If they had a network of dedicated bicycle lanes I would take up cycling. Bike lanes running parallel to the BTS would have been good. I would pay money to use a bike lane like this.

When im driving though, bike riders hogging a lane slowing down the flow of traffic piss me off.

[farmerapache]

nice to do something on your condition but on the end i think it will cost me more on hospital bills than on fuell,

in the city because of the crazy traffic and were i live (countrysite) because of all the wild dogs who chase me everytime i leave my house on the bike