Thailand will have longest bike lane in Asia in 2017

[webfact]

Thailand will have longest bike lane in Asia in 2017



BANGKOK: -- Thailand will soon have the longest bike lane in Asia after the Department of Rural Roads days it is making preparations to construct the first ever asphalt surfaced bicycle lane in the country which is expected to be the longest of its kind in Asia.

The bike lane, which will extend to almost 200 kilometres and will pass through no less than 5 central provinces, will not only benefit rubber farmers who will find another outlet for their products but will also allow safe and coordinated bicycling activities.

The bike lane is to be built in honor of His Majesty the King’s December 5, 2015 birthday.

The department says it is notable in that it is a dedicated bicycle lane separated from those of regular traffic and will stretch a total distance of 184 kilometres.

It will cost an estimated 1.5 billion Baht and is expected to pass Pathumthani, Ayutthya, Ang Thong, Singburi and Chainat.

Natural rubber will be used as road surfacing material which will also benefit rubber planters.

About 40 tons of natural rubber valued at 4,800,000 baht will be needed. When completed in 2017 it will become the longest of its kind in Asia, said Mr Darun Saengchai, the director-general of the Department of Rural Roads.

He said natural rubber would be mainly employed as road surfacing material for the entire stretch which will greatly help rubber farmers.

As an added benefit, this will also allow much higher surface grip which will ensure greater safety during rainy seasons.

The specifications were worked out between the Department of Rural Roads and the Ministry of Transport to ensure uniformity throughout.

The proposed design specifies a total lane width of 3 meters which is divided into two 1.5 meter opposing lanes.

Periodic rest-stops have also been planned for along the entire route and engineers involved are confident that the specifications provide a safe bicycle lane that is comparable to international standards.

As of the present, survey and design work has progressed by more than 20%, he said.

Department chief engineer Suporn Thechaiya also said the main consideration during the design phase was how to ensure bicyclists are provided with the highest possible levels of safety.

“As such we are employing international standards for the construction of the project in accordance with US standard for the construction of roads.”

The project is estimated to take 3 years to complete and but at present, existing bicycle lanes such as the ones located within Suvarnabhumi Airport popularly known as the ‘Sanam Kiew’ or Green court currently ranked as one of the five best airports with bicycle lanes in the world; is being widely used by bicycle riders.

Sanam Kiew stretches for distance of more than 23 km and attracts more than 4,000 bicyclists daily.

It is at present temporary closed to undergo renovation and refurbishment and will again open at the end of the year

Another alternative for bicyclists within the capital is the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand’s (MRTA) bicycle lanes. It is gaining popularity with cyclists who do not wish to venture very far and attracts several hundred of riders daily.

The MRTA bicycle lane runs for a distance of more than 3 kilometres and is notable for its employing sections of 2 regular opposing motorist lanes for the exclusive use by bicyclists.

Furthermore, the lanes are surrounded by lush green trees and plans are underway for the construction of permanent dedicated bicycle lanes which will be separate from traffic lanes.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thailand-will-have-longest-bike-lane-in-asia-in-2017


-- Thai PBS 2015-08-03

[clockman]

Good news!

[MESmith]

A dedicated cycle lane on the "Samoeng loop" around Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai on hwy1096 & 1269 would be nice. A beautiful ride, but too many crazy drivers cutting corners, hitting apexes

[bangkokfrog]

Good news!

Agreed... as long as it is policed in some way and doesn't become good news for motorbikes !!!

[Nice Boyd]

And the Biggest Death Toll, Unfortunately

[Nice Boyd]

Too bad the bikes won't be using it, everybody else will, though

[Briggsy]

I guarantee nobody will keep the motorbikes off this if there is the slightest advantage of them using it.

I offer you Ekamai-Ram Intra, Bangkok's 20-odd-km-long bicycle path which is almost universally used by motorcycles.

p.s. Follow the money. How much is the budget for this? Who is the contractor? Who is the minister signing off the project? How much is the skim?

[Cuchulainn]

Longest MOTORbike lane in Asia you mean?

[richard10365]

I certainly hope this new bike lane last more than 1 year before they decide to upgrade it. The Suvarnabhumi Airpport bike lane only lasted 1 year before it was closed to be "revamped."

[55bulldog]

you mean longest bowling lane ever.....let's see how many get mowed over by motorbikes

[Nice Boyd]

I'm sure the Minivans will figure it out too.

[willyumiii]

The longest bike lane in the world, with trucks, cars, and motorbikes driving the wrong direction in it at a high rate of speed!

Watch the fatalities numbers climb!

Is this Thailand's attempt to claim the number one position in the world for traffic fatalities?

They have had to settle for number two for so long now.

Or do bicycles not count as traffic fatalities?!

[Reigntax]

Hope it is red coloured to hide all the blood stains.

Surprising that the route doesn't commence at military headquarters and go all the way to Beijing!

Just imagine how many more quality tourists could arrive on their rickshaws.

Who wouldn't like the opportunity to see many of the junta on their bikes!

Edited August 3, 2015 by Reigntax

[Laughing Gravy]

Ha Ha Priceless. I will believe it when it happens. Seems like more propaganda junk. How about just making roads safe for bikes, all kinds. Having proper education and get rid of the corrupt practice of pay your money get your licence.Now that would be real news.

Edited August 3, 2015 by Laughing Gravy

[Laughing Gravy]

Ha Ha Priceless. I will believe it when it happens. Seems like more propaganda junk. How about just making roads safe for bikes, all kinds. Having proper education and get rid of the corrupt practice of pay your money get your licence.Now that would be real news.

Sorry to bump my reply but having just read the rest of the news on TV, so many posts are related to bike accidents. Isn't it about time that people woke up and started to make a real difference. I am gobsmacked and truly wish that news articles about bikes were positive, Sadly they tend not to be.

[doremifasol]

Good idea.

Make sure you spend some of the money

to educate people on road safety as well.

Edited August 3, 2015 by doremifasol

[Felt 35]

As a bicyclist great news. However as an afterthought, if the above amount of money was spent on traffic education, enforced speed limits and stricter penalties for traffic offenders, all of Thailand's roads could be as safe as anywhere else in the world to ride a bicycle.

[Thongkorn]

Great news More time for the Idiots who think they can drive to take aim at cyclists. Good for the hospitals and body parts so yes a good idea.

[englishoak]

The thought of cycling on any main Thai roads just dosnt appeal somehow...

[ddavidovsky]

Lot of waffle in this report and little solid information. How about some maps?

Sounds good if it's a separate roadway as in Holland and along some scenic routes, say by a river and taking in some interesting destinations.

If it's just a lane at the edge of existing roads - no thanks.

[upena]

For motorcycles, picnickers, restaurants, and other small businesses.

[Katipo]

It'll be used by everything and anything that can fit on it. So bicyles, pedestrians, and motorcycles at least. Nice idea though.

[TEFLKrabi]

Every time they propose something that is potentially good you guys come on here and and pour scorn on it. You've all been here so long you know different. Grow up guys and just for once, say Thank You for trying to do something good and worthwhile.

[DM07]

...and the Tour d'France, an F1- GP, slave free fishing boats, gotten rid of corruption, nuclear power, hi- speed trains, cleanest beaches in Asia...

...and then they woke up and realized, it was all a dream!

[jaywalker]

Every time they propose something that is potentially good you guys come on here and and pour scorn on it. You've all been here so long you know different. Grow up guys and just for once, say Thank You for trying to do something good and worthwhile.

HMMM... English teacher in Krabi. Methinks you have just arrived. Thank You. Please teach lots of Thai's Passa Angrit/Engrish. Thanks again & good luck. You'll need all you can get.

Much like a grizzled old 29 year old SGT in the Army, I'd tell the 20 year old Lieutenant, "Move out & draw fire Sir!" when he had these pie-in-sky dreams.

=========

The new bike lane will be slap FULL of cars parked on it, vendors all over it, moto's zooming by left, right, center, up, down backwards & sometimes forwards within 2 months of opening.

=========

I recall my first visit to Amsterdam. I had never heard of a bicycle lane before and was merrily walking down the middle of it. I caught a bit of verbal abuse from a couple cyclists and quickly figured it out.

Edited August 4, 2015 by jaywalker

[Lupatria]

Too bad the General is just a bike enthusiast and not a hobby pilot in that case they would have proper maintenance in the airline industry

[Estrada]

The same will happen as what happened to the bus lanes.

[overherebc]

Every time they propose something that is potentially good you guys come on here and and pour scorn on it. You've all been here so long you know different. Grow up guys and just for once, say Thank You for trying to do something good and worthwhile.

HMMM... English teacher in Krabi. Methinks you have just arrived. Thank You. Please teach lots of Thai's Passa Angrit/Engrish. Thanks again & good luck. You'll need all you can get.

Much like a grizzled old 29 year old SGT in the Army, I'd tell the 20 year old Lieutenant, "Move out & draw fire Sir!" when he had these pie-in-sky dreams.

=========

The new bike lane will be slap FULL of cars parked on it, vendors all over it, moto's zooming by left, right, center, up, down backwards & sometimes forwards within 2 months of opening.

=========

I recall my first visit to Amsterdam. I had never heard of a bicycle lane before and was merrily walking down the middle of it. I caught a bit of verbal abuse from a couple cyclists and quickly figured it out.

You must admit though it was nice to have been here during the first few years and living the dream.

[little mary sunshine]

And the most dangerous

[jaywalker]

Every time they propose something that is potentially good you guys come on here and and pour scorn on it. You've all been here so long you know different. Grow up guys and just for once, say Thank You for trying to do something good and worthwhile.

HMMM... English teacher in Krabi. Methinks you have just arrived. Thank You. Please teach lots of Thai's Passa Angrit/Engrish. Thanks again & good luck. You'll need all you can get.

Much like a grizzled old 29 year old SGT in the Army, I'd tell the 20 year old Lieutenant, "Move out & draw fire Sir!" when he had these pie-in-sky dreams.

=========

The new bike lane will be slap FULL of cars parked on it, vendors all over it, moto's zooming by left, right, center, up, down backwards & sometimes forwards within 2 months of opening.

=========

I recall my first visit to Amsterdam. I had never heard of a bicycle lane before and was merrily walking down the middle of it. I caught a bit of verbal abuse from a couple cyclists and quickly figured it out.

You must admit though it was nice to have been here during the first few years and living the dream.

YES, Overherebc. It was FANTASTIC! "Living the dream" as you put it was just too cool.

I wouldn't trade it for anything, hence my never-ending love of Pattaya.

From 2001 to 2004, I was travelling a lot around Asia, but the company paid for my housing & car & had me based in Thailand.

I can for certain say S. Korea, Taiwan & Okinawa are not places I'd like to live, though Okinawa did have some nice beaches. Dhaka, Bangladesh ranks right up there with Sanaa, Yemen on my list the worst places I've ever been.

Kuala Lumpur was OK. Pretty, pretty women there. I like eye candy. A lot.

I somewhat enjoyed Manila & Boracay, never made it to Angeles City.

I sometimes had to hit Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, & Qatar.

I took the wife to Abu Dhabi once & that's when she first drove a car. I took her waaaaaay out in the desert. telling her to keep an eye on her mirrors. She was going about 35 mph, trying to figure out the steering wheel when she saw a car a half a mile back in the mirror.

She FREAKED OUT! My name is Ken, & she yells "Ken ka! We...HAVE........ CAR!!!!!" at the top of her lungs.

Jordan was cool for a visit. Nice eye candy there too!

I was always quite happy to get on that BKK flight to good old Don Muang back then though.

Cambodia had almost no infrastructure back then. The only way to get cash was to get a cash advance on a credit card at a bank - no ATM's. Run out of money on Friday & too bad so sad till the bank opened on Monday.

I got hung up in Hiroshima with no cash once.......The only ATM's that accepted international debit cards were located inside Japanese post offices, which kept banker's hours. NOT ONE outside of them had English on the menu outside the post office.

They were real nice folks though. The hotel manager spoke great English & managed to talk my taxi driver into coming back the next day to collect his 124 gazillion yen ($150 USD) taxi fare for my ride across town.

Yes I was living the dream at 34 years old, on a company expense report, flying business class everywhere I went.

I was able to stay out of Thailand so much that I always enjoyed going back.

I will always go back, but don't think I'll try "Living in Pattaya" ever again.