Why has cycling become so popular.

[Aforek]

But maybe some Thais now understand the importance of exercising and cycling is good way to get around, I see more cyclists on the roads here than 3 years ago.

Where I live, there are many people on bicycle ( I too ) , and I have seen a changement over the 4 last years ; in the park where I do my jogging, 3-4 years ago, there were only a few farangs at 7 am; now, there are much more Thais than farangs, same at 5 pm

I don't speak of lycra and of trend, they like bike and you can see some at anytime of the day ( I speak of Thai people )

Edited February 27, 2015 by Aforek

[elgordo38]

Back where I come from you now see lots of cyclists (mainly male) wearing Lycra with all the advertising just like Lance and the others. Unfortunately, it is not just idiots Farangs doing it now, there are a few Thais jumping on board. They are usually extremely fit and are just showing off - and like playing chicken with cars and trucks and buses. They are usually on their way to/from 2 things: work in a non-decscrpt loser's job; or a cafe with their boyfriends . In my book they are worth 150 points, second only to Greenies carrying placards (200 points) .

But seriously - there are so many ways that nature tries to ensure the survival of the species - it is all genetics. This is just another method that nature uses to try and clean out the gene pool.

I am a 76 year old cyclist and I think you should take the cobwebs out of your bellfrey. Its obvious you were half snapped in the old jug when you wrote this. This is about as low and mean spirited a reply as I have seen on TV in a long time. You should be ashamed of yourself. Back where you come from hmm that must darkest Africa. The mods should remove your vicious attack replies. You give our species a bad name.

[Thakkar]

Something a little more like this.

-

Clearly, you are ex-Special Forces CIA Navy Seal Black-ops Space Ranger Knight of the Round Table . Due to your excellent camouflaging, all I see is foliage in that photo.

T

Edited February 27, 2015 by Thakkar

[ToddinChonburi]

Yes they love to ride 2 or 3 aside in the travel lane here between chonburi city and Pattaya. some Sundays there are 2 or 300 hundred of them blocking 2 lanes on one of the bridges and the cars are slammin on the brakes trying not to kill one of them. They are dressed so colorful though.

[Vogele123]

OP, you are indeed correct, it is a weird phenomena!

In the years I have lived here out in the sticks in SW CM, there were very few people that rode bikes.

Over what I think must have been the last 3 years there has been a massive increase in biking Thais around my place, this includes groups of 60-80 year old villagers cycling in groups, usually old blokes and as you pointed out, loads of these Lycra clad younger Thai blokes with all the gear.

Last year we had a spate where there was a huge increase in young and old Thais flying remote controlled planes for a while, that suddenly died a death and we never saw any of them again, then there was another fad where there were a few Thais flying around on those petrol powered parachute things, but that again died out.

The bike fad here is certainly increasing month by month. Maybe they are just trying to keep fit?

Where I am they are quite a friendly bunch, I never see the kind of "Anti Car Behaviour" you often see on Youtube from the UK, nor do you see much anti bike behavior by car drivers, it is a sort of "Happy Co-existence" in the road chaos.

Good luck to them!

[Puwa]

Fyi, there's an active cycling subforum on ThaiVisa, www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/156-cycling-in-thailand/

Visitors will see that it's a generally constructive forum among people with a common hobby. I find that these interest-based forums are much more civil than the local ones...ahem.

There's a good discussion now on road safety.

Regarding the increasing popularity of biking, it's a global trend as well as a Thai trend. While those who don't ride may enjoy holding some disdain for Thai cyclists, calling them posers or whatever, among cyclists I think we mostly respect and appreciate each other, regardless of race or nationality.

In fact, I find cyclists here quite friendly with each other on the road, always exchanging a nod or wave or smile. Where I ride back home in the States, riders sometimes just ignore each other, kinda like CM expats.

[schietkop]

Maybe its because the dear leader promised bicycle lanes?

[MESmith]

In fact, I find cyclists here quite friendly with each other on the road, always exchanging a nod or wave or smile. Where I ride back home in the States, riders sometimes just ignore each other, kinda like CM expats.

Nearly 100% of Thai riders exchange a "Sawadee Krap" when passing. Most western cyclists totally ignore me.

A couple of days ago, I was cycling on the Samoeng Rd. Approaching the summit of a small hill, I was overtaken by a lone Thai lady cyclist on her roadbike (I was on my heavy mtb). "Sawadee Ka" was the first I knew she was there. Wanted to keep up with her, but she had a mini-skirt "bum flap" blocking the view of her lycra clad ass, so I gave up

[Pdavies99]

A good topic to answer.

Personally having lived here many years, I think its about awareness and natural education via TV etc.

Years ago, Thais in general were not fat and did not feel the need to exercise, now of course what with KFC, MacDonalds Dunkin Doughnuts, it is clear to see many overweight Thais who are a little upset at this.

Many Thai friends have seen me years ago when I was overweight, and through general cycling etc I am now 72kgs and enjoy cycling, with that in mind many Thais speak about this and now see it as an enjoyable way to lose weight, get fit and socialise.

Of course some foreigners and Thais will disagree with this and also state that the roads are too dangerous?

(Just ride on quieter roads, respect other road users and you have no problems.

Having a dig, (sorry to say) I find the moaners are usually overweight with no interest in getting fit)

Have a great day!!

[MESmith]

then there was another fad where there were a few Thais flying around on those petrol powered parachute things, but that again died out.

I wish. Those mofos are the most annoying pricks on this planet. Would love to see one crash, so I can spray champagne on his dying body.

[villagefarang]

Since some of you like posers so much, here are a couple shots of me posing after my 81 km ride today in the midday sun.

Edited February 27, 2015 by villagefarang

[villagefarang]

And for those of you who say there is nowhere to ride in Thailand, here are a couple road shots in my area.

[Dutchbike]

And for those of you who say there is nowhere to ride in Thailand, here are a couple road shots in my area.

I'm envy you with these roads, All I have are looong straight flat Isaan roads,but we do have nice racetrack...

[TomYumpoochai]

What is wrong with people learning something new? I lived in Bangkok when Clark Hatch opened the first health club in the carpark across from the US Embassy. People laughed and said Thais dont and wont exercise. Now there are busy health clubs everywhere.

Cycling is just another form of exercise which has become more popular with access to better bikes and more information about cycling. Make it easy, accessible and advertise it in popular media and show charity rides with well known people riding and it grows in popularity.

What could possibly be wrong with that? Being fit is not a crime.

It is about time for me to put on my lycra and enjoy a beautiful 70 to 80 km ride around my area.

I gues you missed my point. I think it's great people are out exercising, definitely nothing wrong with cycling. I've done a fair share myself. But, it's not like bikes were invented yesterday. What has changed? With your example of the health facilities, now the gyms are here, before they weren't. Bicycles aren't new, and I don't think are distinctly more affordable today then they were yesterday. Sure, Thais have gained some wealth, but not significantly to the point where a 10k mtn bike is now a drop in the bucket now and wasn't a few years ago.

We also now commonly see people riding on big motorcycles high off the ground with the container things on the back and the side.. Never saw those before, but now everybody's gotta have em? What gives. I think the reason lies in the social nature of Thais.

My decision to go out and start exercising on a bicycle has nothing to do with my neighbor doing it. Does it for you?

It usually starts with facebook. They see something trending on there and then they all copy it. Like 1 million coffee shops in pai or 2 million fortuners with their suitcases strapped on a plastic roofrack.

And the big 1 million bt+ touring bikes? Its just a fashion statement done by the hiso to make them look cool. They still end up in 5 star resorts where the only gear they needed could have fitted into a 7/11 bag on the rear seat.

[mango66]

they realiced it is a convinient method of suicide,

you never know when it will be, that a van or lorry will hit you !!

and dont forget:

The nice fresh smoggy air you get for free !!

[mango66]

And for those of you who say there is nowhere to ride in Thailand, here are a couple road shots in my area.

its perfect, curvey road, you cicle with 50, and the next corner a Van will come on your side,

you will escape in the forest and hit the next tree !

God safe your Health and life!

Cycling in Thailand ? Yes, in your living room is ok and propably save!

[villagefarang]

I don't have a problem with others doing absolutely nothing with their lives or being afraid of their shadows. If that's what makes you happy, great, but that is not the way I choose to live. I have lived here for 38 years without a problem so I think I'll trust my own judgement over the hysterical cries of the newcomers.

[puukao]

Yes, I was a professional mountain biker. Yes, I rode 10,000 kms in Thailand, mostly around CM. And yet, I don't have any good answers. But I will still ramble as I drink my coffee. 1. Social Status. A nice bike can be as much as 10,000 USD. Nice wheels can be 2,500 USD. Carbon is sweet, but of course you can get destroyed by a fitter guy on a steel bike....easily. 2. Mountains. CM is really great for cycling, and, trust me, I've ridden in many great cycling cities. Oh yea, the lycra does have a good cushion for your butt, and I am amazed how many people don't know that. But why would they? I digress.......If you want to exercise outside, what are your options? running in a group? soo much energy. rockclimbing? maybe they do that in groups. swimming? not in a group. cycling is a great way to just get out and be independent. Remember, some kids stay with their parents until they are 30 or some crazy number, so biking gets you out, releases endorphins, and then you get back and are nice and tired....easier to deal with stress.

Now for the negatives: roads in CM get both hot and sketchy when all those trucks spread oil everywhere. traffic = pollution. and pollution = pollution (mushrooms burning, and whatever else they burn). And I have heard many Thais take on debt to buy the expensive bikes.....again, nobody needs a Ferarri. And who cares if an ugly car gets you there.......well, when they get older they will learn not to take on too much debt. And new bike riders have very limited bike handling skills, or proper use of brakes. but i wish them all well....gotta learn sometime and somewhere. i think it's great.

[Ulic]

I think it is becoming popular because they are holding the opening stage of the Tour de France in Thailand.

[LarryBird]

Well, again, many of you seem to miss the point. I am not asking what cycling brings to the table. For example, I am fully aware that you don't have to fill up at a gas tank, and it has benefits as a form of exercise. Wow. I think many people would realize that. Also, I realize this is ThaiVisa, and like many farang here who are pent up in a house with no one to talk to, you just want to hear yourself talk. In the mid 80's in America, one might have asked why Karate Studios were showing up on every corner, to which some might have pointed to the success of the movie 'The Karate Kid' and every kid dreaming of giving a crane kick to a class bully. Or, you could ask 'what's wrong with karate, I love karate???' The question just looks for an explanation, but doesn't find fault in the activity.

I was interested in an explanation for the DRASTIC increase in 'cyclists'. As some have mentioned, I definitely think other forces combined with social media make for fads more likely. As usual, the people who dismiss safety concerns are beyond idiotic in that their rationale is that one is equally likely to die from from choking on a Dorito as dying from running down an alley way of criminals firing bullets at you, simply because you could survive or die from each. Because you could die crossing the road tomorrow, therefore, better not bother with a seatbelt, worry about driving drunk, or look wash your hands before dinner, cause, hey, anything can happen!!!

Edited February 27, 2015 by LarryBird

[hmficc]

Let's do a quick 50 km in 33 C, I'll wear lycra and you can wear your jeans and t-shirt and then tell me it's just for posers!

In 6,000+ miles I have never worn jeans, Lycra or a codpiece. I do see why the pros wear it. The non pro who wear the tops festooned with adverts are the most hilarious. It is like painting your car with Nascar racing ads. NOKD!

[hmficc]

Well, again, many of you seem to miss the point. I am not asking what cycling brings to the table. For example, I am fully aware that you don't have to fill up at a gas tank, and it has benefits as a form of exercise. Wow. I think many people would realize that. Also, I realize this is ThaiVisa, and like many farang here who are pent up in a house with no one to talk to, you just want to hear yourself talk. In the mid 80's in America, one might have asked why Karate Studios were showing up on every corner, to which some might have pointed to the success of the movie 'The Karate Kid' and every kid dreaming of giving a crane kick to a class bully. Or, you could ask 'what's wrong with karate, I love karate???' The question just looks for an explanation, but doesn't find fault in the activity.

I was interested in an explanation for the DRASTIC increase in 'cyclists'. As some have mentioned, I definitely think other forces combined with social media make for fads more likely. As usual, the people who dismiss safety concerns are beyond idiotic in that their rationale is that one is equally likely to die from from choking on a Dorito as dying from running down an alley way of criminals firing bullets at you, simply because you could survive or die from each. Because you could die crossing the road tomorrow, therefore, better not bother with a seatbelt, worry about driving drunk, or look wash your hands before dinner, cause, hey, anything can happen!!!

[Gillyflower]

It's the fashion. You know - a la mode. Even in my country I see more locals on bikes, especially the older people. I also see in summer, tourists with luggage obviously on holidays, travelling by bikes. As for the lycra, don't be so snob.

[hmficc]

A bit rude to post a question and then berate those who answer for not being on point. Try the scociology department at the university. Here we are about conversation. Got a problem with that?

[LarryBird]

Got a problem with that?

Yes.

[Johpa]

To get back to the original question, the increasing popularity may have to do with the large number of great rural roads in the region that lend themselves to bicycling as can be glimpsed in VillageFarang's pictures. The hardcore can head west to battle the mountains and just about anyone can head east on the gentler roads past Sankhampang or the canal road behind Mae Jo. Chiang Mai can easily become a global mecca for bicycling just as it has become a global mecca for motorcycling as so many of the old rutted and muddy remote roads of my earlier days are now all well paved.

[arunsakda]

To reiterate my point, I am more interested in why, I don't have a problem with people cycling.

Although, I do think people are NUTZ for riding a bicycle on these roads. My friend knew of three people that got mauled in a two week period here in Chiangmai. I mean, if riding a bicycle brings you a ton of joy, have at it. I find it to be pretty boring.

Mauled as in savaged by dogges?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[northernjohn]

What is wrong with people learning something new? I lived in Bangkok when Clark Hatch opened the first health club in the carpark across from the US Embassy. People laughed and said Thais don’t and won’t exercise. Now there are busy health clubs everywhere.

Cycling is just another form of exercise which has become more popular with access to better bikes and more information about cycling. Make it easy, accessible and advertise it in popular media and show charity rides with well known people riding and it grows in popularity.

What could possibly be wrong with that? Being fit is not a crime.

It is about time for me to put on my lycra and enjoy a beautiful 70 to 80 km ride around my area.

Have fun!

I think you look better in your avatar.

[Cheesekraft]

they can't get enough of the quality air; nothing like a deep burn to every breath to give an edge to a morning workout.

[elgenon]

I have been asked by Thais in CM why farangs like to walk. Thais in general do not like to walk. If they cycle, that's great, but i think it would be a small percentage. I much preferred back in the day when Thai girls were thin.