Phuket to splash out B60mn on bicycle lanes

[webfact]

Phuket to splash out B60mn on bicycle lanes
Suthicha Sirirat


Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong has announced that B60 million baht will be spent on developing bicycle lanes in Phuket. Photo: Suthicha Sirirat

PHUKET: -- Hot on the heels of the world record-setting “Bike for Mom” event held on the weekend, Phuket Governor Nisit Jansonwong has announced that B60 million will be spent on developing bike lanes at three key locations in Phuket.

“The Bike for Mom event on Sunday (August 16, click here) was a great success. We had 4,303 people registered for this event and most of them live in other provinces, so we thought many of them would not show up for the actual event,” Governor Nisit said yesterday (August 17).

“But on Sunday 4,560 people took part in the event, which was amazing. Cyclists and onlookers were cheerful and happy on every road we were on.”

Gov Nisit said the event had strengthened the nation as a community and looked to keep the momentum rolling.

“Clearly, Bike for Mom helped to rebuild the love and harmony among the people and I think the bicycling activity had a great impact on our society. So I want to keep this activity that HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has started for us and keep the love of cycling alive among residents and tourists in Phuket.

“Today, I meet with representatives from all Tambon Administration Organisations (OrBorTor) to propose the idea of having a community bicycling activity event once a month to promote healthy living,” he said.

“Phuket already has 50 cycling clubs to start the ‘cycling for health’ campaign and bring people closer together by holding cycling activities, such as cycling to beach clean-ups.

“We also have set aside the budget to have more bicycle lanes in three areas: at Bang Wad Dam in Kathu, on Sakdidet Rd to Ao Makham in Wichit, and at Suan Luang Park.”

The total budget set aside for the bike lanes amounts to B60mn, but work will not start until October next year, Gov Nisit noted.

“I hope that cycling activities receive much support among Phuketians so they become part of our culture. Cycling is not only healthy, but also keeps our environment clean and green,” he said.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-to-splash-out-b60mn-on-bicycle-lanes-53689.php


-- Phuket News 2015-08-18

[LivinginKata]

Motor bikes will be very happy about this. Now they can avoid all the cars and trucks..

[clockman]

It is not safe for motorists, never mind cyclists! They always want to run before they can walk.

[steelepulse]

A better bike lane would be a strand between the road and the beach as is seen in southern California and many other places around the world. Riding, rollerblading, skating, etc. next to the beach is a great tourist activity that promotes exercise and staying healthy. Too bad it will never happen here though.

[useronthenet]

IMHO, Phuket is trying to run before it's learnt to walk. 'Splashing out' on improving driving standards is surely a higher priority ?

[Pomthai]

Better to fix whats broken than to create more stuff to break.

A child died not long ago because the vehicle she was traveling fell into a giant unlit hole in the road. there wasn't enough money in the coffers to fix a collapsed road or put a light bulb up in a warning barrier - yet there's 60 million to build a bike lane.

Priorities all wrong for the umpteenth time.

[Jimlove]

Should think there was better Things to spend B60mn on but I guess some mia noi and Mercedes dealer will be happy ....

[PoorSucker]

Will not work, they have done this on Samui.

Motorist finds it as a convenient parking place.

[NongKhaiKid]

Oh look PM, you like bike lanes and as if by magic so do we.

[Alwyn]

great. another place for the lottery ticket sellers, botulism barrows and motorbikes to go the wrong way on.. How about investing that money into a proper rapid transport system? Or repairing roads? educating drivers? financing more police who are not there to stop lunatics driving up the wrong side of the road maybe? Traffic lights at the Heroine's roundabout even!! Jeez..

[Maggusoil]

Better to fix whats broken than to create more stuff to break.

A child died not long ago because the vehicle she was traveling fell into a giant unlit hole in the road. there wasn't enough money in the coffers to fix a collapsed road or put a light bulb up in a warning barrier - yet there's 60 million to build a bike lane.

Priorities all wrong for the umpteenth time.

No no no no no. This makes the pollies feel good. All the bicyclists ride past the camera smiling and waving.

The pollies rest easy in their beds, knowing they are popular.

This is the main thing . . . That warm and fuzzy feelgood feeling. Political fuzz.

[bubblegum]

pfffff

[jacko45k]

Unless they lanes are enforced and policed, which is unlikely, they are simply a waste of paint.

The whole concept is wasted if used for parking.

[Felt 35]

Great even if fenced in and limited to laps around a dam....

[dean008]

and the one in Bangkok around rattanakosin island narea (near kho san) is used by motorbikes, food sellers and the odd cycle. It has resulted in two lanes becoming one and an increase in conjestion. More thought, indeed some thought about cause and effect is needed when introducing bike lanes

Will not work, they have done this on Samui.

Motorist finds it as a convenient parking place.

[Felt 35]

Build something similar from town to Sarasin and I happily accept that the income tax increase.

[FBlue72]

Of course this is about lining someone's pocket and of course it will be filled immediately with fried chicken vendors which will then attract motorists to park in both the bike and vehicle lanes to rush and get that fried fat fix. Usually during rush hour. Anyone else getting the feeling the entire country is just a lost cause?

Edited August 20, 2015 by FBlue72