webfact Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Special Report: PM supports the creation of safe bike lanes across ThailandBANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha recently expressed support for the construction of bicycle lanes in all corners of the country.On October 3, General Prayut said during his weekly TV programme “Returning Happiness to the People” that he wished more people would pay attention to cycling for exercise. He hailed it as a good form of exercise and a good way of commuting on a daily basis.He asserted that the government is planning a measure to support the creation of safe bike routes for cyclists and to expand the coverage of such routes in all regions. The routes can be linked together for commuting, tourism or exercise purposes. He added cycling can help the country save on energy use and lower the level of pollution on the streets.The premier said the Ministry of Interior will be responsible for coordinating the efforts on a provincial level, and local units are urged to realize the projects on a larger scale.Cyclist groups have welcomed General Prayut’s announcement, saying the promotion of cycling is long overdue.The announcement follows the “Car Free Day” event in Bangkok where Silom road was closed to cars, trucks and buses, except bicycles, for the weekend to encourage the use of public transport.Earlier, Chiang Mai's Road Safety Center announced plans to create bike routes as a way to promote tourism in this northern province. The bicycle trails to be created will be divided into two parts, one for tourism and the other for general travel. Initially, three main routes are being considered, one covers all the main roads in the city, one goes around the moat, and the other passes by tourist attractions.-- NNT 2014-10-10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post daoyai Posted October 10, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 10, 2014 As long as Khon Thai are allowed to drive cars and motocy there will never be "safe" bicycle lanes but it is a nice sound byte. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post worgeordie Posted October 10, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 10, 2014 Safe + bike lanes ! in Thailand i don't think so. regards Worgeordie 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Sayonarax Posted October 10, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 10, 2014 You still haven't stopped people parking illegally.. Do you plan on a creating a raise bike lane? Your starting to look like a clown with all your promises.. its harder to get stuff done when you cant point a gun at it. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clifric Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 About 2 kms from my house is a segregated cycle lane that stretches, currently, around 8km and is still under extension, eventually leading all the way down to the Sam Roi Yot national park and treasures such as Dolphin Bay some 18kms in all. When I say segregated I mean there is a raised concrete border of around 10cm height between the vehicular traffic and the cycle lane 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post chainarong Posted October 10, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 10, 2014 P.M. Prauth has lost the plot, P.M. Prayuth has to realise that cycling has to be a prepared route costing many millions of dollars and should not interact with other traffic and in Thailand this exercise would be detrimental to your health and one can only wonder who the hell has been hammering the Generals ear, firstly there is much more important issues that need attending to than drawing white lines all over Thailand , secondly the space provided will be taken up by road side stalls and motor bike riders and thirdly how many bike riders actually would place their health between petrol fumes and being run over, just how many push bike riders have been seen this week , Verdict: waste of money , waste of time another nutty project, star of the week award 5/10 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NextStationBangkok Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 It is good initiative, i hope they also give orders for "Shoot at sight" for the napping tuk-tuk drivers on the bike lanes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxclever Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 The bureaucrats and the special interests groups are finding out quickly that as long as the Junta can keep their snouts in the trough they will approve anything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lupin Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 I know this is silly, but I swear to god I thought the title of this article read: "PM supports the creation of safe bikini lanes across Thailand" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NongKhaiKid Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Safe bicycle lanes for use by every road user except cyclists because of the danger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clockman Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 With the second highest road fatal accidents in the world. how can a cyclist be safe? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CobraSnakeNecktie Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 (edited) At least it's a desireable hypothetical goal on the radar The powers are buying themselves a little more time with all the promises. Will end predictably when the hot air dissipates and they can't brain storm any new fantasy promises. They could also try air dropping bales of Mary Wanna all over the land. Edited October 10, 2014 by CobraSnakeNecktie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cylon Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 They should start with safe roads first, Driver education and training. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Might be a good idea to first teach motorised bikes not to drive on the wrong side of the road, especially cretins that do it at night with no lights. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiddlesticks Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Most auto/truck drivers here in the North drive their vehicles as though they were still driving their motorbikes! We have a stretch of road here in Chiang Rai that is close to the police station and every day I see cars and pickups using the bike lanes as passing lanes. Unless there is a major reversal of the "me first - screw everyone else" attitude that is so pervasive among the Thais, there will never be a 'safe' bike lane! Good idea but just a waste of money at this time in Thailand's "development". 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coobah666 Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Its all in preparation for the Tour de France 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Its all in preparation for the Tour de France Blimey, if that happens they will have to provide ambulance lanes too.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HUAHIN62 Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 An objective/dream as reachable as clean beaches with no hawkers, no scammers, lottery tickets at B 80, no corruption, economic growth of 5%, eqaulity, justice and reconciliation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubbaJohnny Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Its all in preparation for the Tour de France Peletons R us ? Yellow jersey for those who crush the rest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowboat Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Nice idea, but the PM should wait until a basic plan is drawn up and a budget is considered. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunpa Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Okay... Did not see this one coming... Again: SURPRISE!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PETERTHEEATER Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 About 2 kms from my house is a segregated cycle lane that stretches, currently, around 8km and is still under extension, eventually leading all the way down to the Sam Roi Yot national park and treasures such as Dolphin Bay some 18kms in all. When I say segregated I mean there is a raised concrete border of around 10cm height between the vehicular traffic and the cycle lane I know that road and it has very light traffic so can only assume that the dedicated bike lane was added through the influence of a VIP biker. That said, there are frequent biker groups touring the area so it is safer for the biker and the motorist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubbaJohnny Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Okay... Did not see this one coming... Again: SURPRISE!!! Luckily you don't have a one track mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertty Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Can we have safe pavements first ? There is a handicap school in Pattaya, last time I was there they had built a special wheelchair lane for the kids. . Sadly there are so many cars parked on it you cant even see the signs painted on the lane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabothai Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 No money for that unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxYakov Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 (edited) As long as Khon Thai are allowed to drive cars and motocy there will never be "safe" bicycle lanes but it is a nice sound byte. Sure safe ones could be constructed and maybe kept motorbike-free, but Thailand could not afford it. Additionally, they would not be used very much. If Thai people wanted to cycle, they would be doing it now. Motorbikes are more convenient, available and one doesn't work up a sweat. I'll let you all ponder why Thai people in general really won't cycle rather than state the obvious (to me, at least, after observing them for over five years). And what about "safe" bicycles and cyclists? I hate to sound too pessimistic, but a lot of Thais cannot even walk near (or on) the streets safely. They are not alone in this regard as I had to (two days in a row two, separate pairs of farangs that walking along Sukhumvit Soi 16 on the wrong side of the road (not facing oncoming traffic) is a REALLY BAD IDEA. One pair was actually walking in the street and blocking approaching (from behind) traffic! A complete lack of situational awareness and they weren't even staring at their smart-phones. One pair of farangs did not take the criticism well. Death Wish, I guess. Or maybe my rolling up alongside and tapping him on the shoulder and asking him if they taught him to walk facing traffic in his country was a bit too much for him. EoR (End of Rant) Edited October 10, 2014 by MaxYakov Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabothai Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 And TAT, stay out of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razer Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 55555 ...... No place on the street or sidewalk is safe in Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatproblem Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Good idea ,have some in Prachuap ,can NOT use them ,fishermen block one part ,cars the other side and a few street venders in the middle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenslegs Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Its all in preparation for the Tour de France Blimey, if that happens they will have to provide ambulance lanes too.......... And air traffic control for all the flying pigs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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