Biking In Bangkok ?

[bikeman]

Morning people ..

I am Thai and ride my bike to/from work everyday for the morning exercise which my residence is about 2km away from work.

Anyway, i've been thinking if Bangkok had a bike renting system like Europe (e.g. 'Bicycling' in Spain) where you can rent/return the bike at any given post.

Would Expats or Tourist actually use it or is it just me ???

I've ask other Thai and they are saying it's too hot.

for example, getting around the congested area to work or as alternative means to get around within 1 - 3 km distant instead of the motorcycle taxi or places where BTS/MRT won't go....

I just want to get some opinion on this matter and if you would actually use it if it had some bike system like this.

Thanks.

[Gary A]

I'd guess that very few people would want to brave the Bangkok traffic on a bicycle. I know that I would much rather walk than try a bicycle.

[mauGR1]

I enjoy bicycles very much,but not in the cities,unless you have proper bicycle paths.The main issue is the car drivers tend not to notice you at all.I would not ride a bicycle in BKK,seems rather suicidal to me..Don't want to discourage you,it would be nice to see more bicycles and less cars.

[flightcrew1]

I love biking and having lived in Europe and the states I used to bike everywhere. The thing is in Europe and some cities in the states there are bike lanes which cars respect. Here we have bike lanes which are used for motorbikes and vendor carts and cars as well. Also the weather is just too hot that when you got anywhere you would need to change your clothes, that is if you make it and are not run over by a bus or a car. Also I could not imagine being behind one of those old buses with the black smoke pouring out.

As far as the bike system that you can rent bikes point to point, I also feel that would not work as the bikes would be stolen for parts. Just look at the baggage trolleys at the airport.

You can take bikes on the MRT and BTS but lately the BTS is so crowded I don't know how you could manage.

[sanook2me]

I used to riding my mountain bike around and would play with death on the main roads but now i am a little older and no way..its just to dangerous..the big parks are nice for riding around.

I once rode my bike on vipahadi from Central Lad Prao to Laksi Plaza... That was something else......... crazy left turns off the road but no easy way to go straight past these junctions as they are not designed to stop at but more of a slow curve than a 90 degree junction to slow down.. cars zooming past far too close big buses swerving front just too close for comfort...

Anyway i survived but riding a mountain bike on the road is just a stupid and i did it for 2 years so i have experience to back up this statement...

Take your bike to a park and cruise around them..safer and more relaxing..

[nidge]

When i lived in central bangkok i biked through the streets at least every other day. It was great fun squeezing through gaps and chasing motorbikes as well as riding up and down some very high kerbs. It's very hot and humid so if i stopped riding for more than 10 seconds, (e.g. at traffic lights), i would leave a pool of sweat under the bike. Not an idea situation for a trip around the local temples once you have finished your ride.

However for your average rider or for someone with no knowledge of the road layout in Bangkok cycling has got to be once of the craziest/most suicidal ideas i have had for a long time.

Nigel

[TerraPosse]

I'd guess that very few people would want to brave the Bangkok traffic on a bicycle. I know that I would much rather walk than try a bicycle.

Ditto.

[ljstanley54]

Nice idea but I don't see it catching on for all the reasons already mentioned. Even walking in BKK can be difficult as car drivers (Thai and Farang) and the rest seem to have no respect whatsoever for people on foot. Apart from the traffic BKK roads are far from smooth and without high grade suspension, which I doubt your proposed rental bikes would have, you risk self-castration at best.

I cycle here a bit but only from 0600 to 0800 on Sunday mornings and then only away from the traffic.

Now what would be good is bike tracks alongside the BTS. Not likely to happen for commercial reasons but that would make commuting by bike a feasible option. Gotta have a dream.

[IanForbes]

Like Gary A, I would never ride a bike or motorbike in Bangkok, but I might ride one outside the main city. The traffic is just too nuts. I actually think riding a motorcycle is safer than riding a bicycle. I'm quite happy in Chiang Mai traffic though, but it's probably because I know the city. I guess if I knew Bangkok better I'd be more comfortable. Taxis and the bus are too cheap in Bangkok to take a risk on a bike.

[toybits]

I rode my bicycle (mountain bike) from Thonburi to Sukhuvit 12 everyday for 3 years. Those were the most wonderful years of my life in Bangkok. Especially delightful was overtaking luxury cars stuck in traffic. My normal travelling time on this route in a car was 1.5 hours. On my bicycle travel time went down to half an hour. Traffic was so bad, you were overtaking cars that were almost at a standstill. Only problem was the fumes.

[Gippy]

I saw some bikes for borrowing in central Bangkok earlier this year. According to the website it stopped in April 2009, maybe it's too hot after that? Link is Green Bangkok Bike.

[mr_hippo]

I must admit that I am biased here in favour of cycling. This year, I have only cycled 6,846.47 kms.

I enjoy bicycles very much,but not in the cities,unless you have proper bicycle paths.The main issue is the car drivers tend not to notice you at all.I would not ride a bicycle in BKK,seems rather suicidal to me..Don't want to discourage you,it would be nice to see more bicycles and less cars.

Proper cycle paths? Are you talking about shared paths with pedestrians? They do not work! Or different coloured tarmac in the left hand lane about 1 metre wide? They do not work either!

Cyclists not noticed by motorists? Then get yourself noticed! Wear bright coloured clothing and get out of the gutter! Cyclists should either take primary or secondary position – depending on traffic. Primary position is roughly where a car driver is in the lane and secondary is between that and the gutter.

Apart from the traffic BKK roads are far from smooth and without high grade suspension, which I doubt your proposed rental bikes would have, you risk self-castration at best.

I cycle here a bit but only from 0600 to 0800 on Sunday mornings and then only away from the traffic.

Why do you need high grade suspension? Cyclists are supplied with and should use ‘Eyeballs Mk I – sight, for the use of’. You ought to be in a position to see the pothole/grid and avoid it; if you see it too late then just stop pedalling and raise your bottom off the seat.

If you commute 5 days a week then you are doing the same route 10 times a week – 5 one way and five t’other. Why don’t you do the same as an F1 driver? Have you noticed how they take a ‘racing line’ around a circuit? You can do the same on your commute – take the ‘cycling line’! I have about 30 circuits that I ride and countless variations on them and I know which lane I will be in and what position.

Traffic priority – in the UK, priority is given to traffic on the main road but here, traffic entering the main road has priority – be aware of this!

Have you noticed the signs – yellow arrow on a green background? These are ‘shortcuts’ so expect heavy traffic at these points.

That old chestnut – “It’s too hot!”. Walk about 2 kms at your normal pace and you will get hot and sweaty; now cycle the same route at a leisurely 12 kph – how are you feeling? You have got there in half the time and not as sweaty.

[pampal]

I rode my bicycle (mountain bike) from Thonburi to Sukhuvit 12 everyday for 3 years. Those were the most wonderful years of my life in Bangkok. Especially delightful was overtaking luxury cars stuck in traffic. My normal travelling time on this route in a car was 1.5 hours. On my bicycle travel time went down to half an hour. Traffic was so bad, you were overtaking cars that were almost at a standstill. Only problem was the fumes.

I agree, nothing like watching expensive cars in traffic while you whiz by on your bike. The fumes can be dealt with by wearing a mask, although I rarely do when I ride. I normally ride from Yaowarat(Chinatown) to Nonthabur vaguely following the river and I love the ride.

[pampal]

I must admit that I am biased here in favour of cycling. This year, I have only cycled 6,846.47 kms.

Cyclists not noticed by motorists? Then get yourself noticed! Wear bright coloured clothing and get out of the gutter! Cyclists should either take primary or secondary position – depending on traffic. Primary position is roughly where a car driver is in the lane and secondary is between that and the gutter.

Apart from the traffic BKK roads are far from smooth and without high grade suspension, which I doubt your proposed rental bikes would have, you risk self-castration at best.

I cycle here a bit but only from 0600 to 0800 on Sunday mornings and then only away from the traffic.

Why do you need high grade suspension? Cyclists are supplied with and should use ‘Eyeballs Mk I – sight, for the use of’. You ought to be in a position to see the pothole/grid and avoid it; if you see it too late then just stop pedalling and raise your bottom off the seat.

If you commute 5 days a week then you are doing the same route 10 times a week – 5 one way and five t’other. Why don’t you do the same as an F1 driver? Have you noticed how they take a ‘racing line’ around a circuit? You can do the same on your commute – take the ‘cycling line’! I have about 30 circuits that I ride and countless variations on them and I know which lane I will be in and what position.

Traffic priority – in the UK, priority is given to traffic on the main road but here, traffic entering the main road has priority – be aware of this!

Have you noticed the signs – yellow arrow on a green background? These are ‘shortcuts’ so expect heavy traffic at these points.

That old chestnut – “It’s too hot!”. Walk about 2 kms at your normal pace and you will get hot and sweaty; now cycle the same route at a leisurely 12 kph – how are you feeling? You have got there in half the time and not as sweaty.

My current favorite bike is a Scott Scale 70 Rigid(No Suspension) Mountain Bike and I've done 1800 kms on the Bangkok streets on it, so I can tell you from experience that no suspension is necessary if you know how to ride properly as Mr. Hippo has pointed out. Altogether I have ridden near 5000 kms in Bangkok in the last 3 years. I have rear ended a taxi, and ran into a parked bus but I have never come close to being run over or killed. If you ask me, Thai drivers are very considerate when it comes to bikes, although I don't ride like a typical Thai. I mostly take up a whole lane just as a car would, and I never (if Possible) ride on the side as most Thai bike riders do. As for it being hot, yes that's the advantage of riding here, more sweat. That's what I'm usually after when I exercise, to sweat profusely.

If anyone is serious about riding in Bangkok, have a gander at some of Mr. Hippo's posts for good info.

Good Luck and Stay Safe

[toybits]

Before leaving Bkk for Chiang Rai, I had a Cannondale Super V 700 with a double crown Rockshok fork. No bike lane for me. I was mixing it up with all of the motorcycle taxis, cars and buses. I had a double carbon filter max to I could breath in better. Had clothes stashed at the office for my morning shower. Biking during the rainy season was much cooler. But I really loved the traffic jams because I could move and they could not. Yesss! I was doing around 6000 km per year.

I must admit that I am biased here in favour of cycling. This year, I have only cycled 6,846.47 kms.

I enjoy bicycles very much,but not in the cities,unless you have proper bicycle paths.The main issue is the car drivers tend not to notice you at all.I would not ride a bicycle in BKK,seems rather suicidal to me..Don't want to discourage you,it would be nice to see more bicycles and less cars.

Proper cycle paths? Are you talking about shared paths with pedestrians? They do not work! Or different coloured tarmac in the left hand lane about 1 metre wide? They do not work either!

Cyclists not noticed by motorists? Then get yourself noticed! Wear bright coloured clothing and get out of the gutter! Cyclists should either take primary or secondary position – depending on traffic. Primary position is roughly where a car driver is in the lane and secondary is between that and the gutter.

Apart from the traffic BKK roads are far from smooth and without high grade suspension, which I doubt your proposed rental bikes would have, you risk self-castration at best.

I cycle here a bit but only from 0600 to 0800 on Sunday mornings and then only away from the traffic.

Why do you need high grade suspension? Cyclists are supplied with and should use 'Eyeballs Mk I – sight, for the use of'. You ought to be in a position to see the pothole/grid and avoid it; if you see it too late then just stop pedalling and raise your bottom off the seat.

If you commute 5 days a week then you are doing the same route 10 times a week – 5 one way and five t'other. Why don't you do the same as an F1 driver? Have you noticed how they take a 'racing line' around a circuit? You can do the same on your commute – take the 'cycling line'! I have about 30 circuits that I ride and countless variations on them and I know which lane I will be in and what position.

Traffic priority – in the UK, priority is given to traffic on the main road but here, traffic entering the main road has priority – be aware of this!

Have you noticed the signs – yellow arrow on a green background? These are 'shortcuts' so expect heavy traffic at these points.

That old chestnut – "It's too hot!". Walk about 2 kms at your normal pace and you will get hot and sweaty; now cycle the same route at a leisurely 12 kph – how are you feeling? You have got there in half the time and not as sweaty.

[marshmallow]

Morning people ..

I am Thai and ride my bike to/from work everyday for the morning exercise which my residence is about 2km away from work.

Anyway, i've been thinking if Bangkok had a bike renting system like Europe (e.g. 'Bicycling' in Spain) where you can rent/return the bike at any given post.

Would Expats or Tourist actually use it or is it just me ???

I've ask other Thai and they are saying it's too hot.

for example, getting around the congested area to work or as alternative means to get around within 1 - 3 km distant instead of the motorcycle taxi or places where BTS/MRT won't go....

I just want to get some opinion on this matter and if you would actually use it if it had some bike system like this.

Thanks.

hi i'm also interested in biking but from my house to work is too far

can anyone recommend me if there's any good place in bangkok to bike?

[Moonrakers]

Biking was a bit of a hobby of mine back in the UK but I wouldn't even consider it in Bangkok.

Asides from the pollution and dangerous traffic, I'd also need a shower when I get to work.

[mauGR1]

Biking was a bit of a hobby of mine back in the UK but I wouldn't even consider it in Bangkok.

Asides from the pollution and dangerous traffic, I'd also need a shower when I get to work.

Good to see that common sense is still alive

[mr_hippo]

...can anyone recommend me if there's any good place in bangkok to bike?

Where do you live in Bangkok?

Biking was a bit of a hobby of mine back in the UK but I wouldn't even consider it in Bangkok.

Asides from the pollution and dangerous traffic, I'd also need a shower when I get to work.

Where did you cycle in the UK? I feel safer in BKK than in most UK cities.

[phazey]

Sod biking, i even fear driving in Bangkok. BUT i will compromise and happily take my son to school in an M1A1. But i doubt there will be a rental scheme for those any time soon

[marshmallow]

Where do you live in Bangkok?

i live in the city and i'm aware that biking around here is quite dangerous but i've heard there're nice places at the outer ring rama 8??

i just wanna do some biking during the weekend

[oldsparrow]

Let face it my friend. I am also a Thai but I can't help thinking that few people will return the bike properly and the lost can be unacceptable for business or goodwill if it is run by non-profit agency.

[mr_hippo]

Sod biking, i even fear driving in Bangkok.

If you do not feel competent or confident on Bangkok roads then you are safer sticking to public transport.

Where do you live in Bangkok?i live in the city and i'm aware that biking around here is quite dangerous but i've heard there're nice places at the outer ring rama 8??

i just wanna do some biking during the weekend

Who has told you that biking in Bangkok is dangerous? I have cycled 7211.86 kms in Bangkok so far this year and would love to hear from anyone approaching that mileage in Bangkok this year! Use your eyes and ears. know your capaability and the bike's and get to know traffic patterns.

I live in Lat Phrao and most of my routes involve using either Kasert Nawamin Road and Ram Intra Road with are both fast and furious. I normally leave about 6/6:30 in a morning - nice easy pace and back before the sun get to hot - normally in the hot season I do about 50km trips. When the weather gets cooler then my mileage goes up.

If you want to meet me, PM me please.