BANGKOK, 4 May 2015 – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has regularly undertaken development of the eight-kilometer bicycle lane around Rattanakosin Island – the old quarter of the capital, Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp revealed.
Since the opening of the lane on 28 December 2014, Yongyuth said the BMA has kept improving the lane to make it truly practical for users. Improvements include upgrading road surface and leveling the lids of drainage pipes to road surface, clearer marking the lane and setting up warning symbols and plastic bollards to protect cyclists from traffic and accidents. Sidewalk ramps have been improved to better facilitate cyclists and disabled persons while bike parking zones have been arranged at popular tourist spots.
However, cycle lanes still have problems. The bollards are worn-out whereas cars are often found parking on the bike lane. BMA officials were sent out to inspect the problems and at the same time inform people about the proper use of the lane.
By the end of May, Bangkok officials will conduct more inspections of the cycle lane in order to improve the existing routes and plan an extension of the project to other parts of Bangkok, Yongyuth said.
The cycle lane is part of the government’s policy to improve traffic flow, public safety and convenience on roads around the old quarter of the city of Bangkok. The 8-kilometer cycle lane goes along twelve following routes: Mahachai, Kalayana Maitri, Thai Wang, Maha Rat, Na Phra Lan, Na Phra That,Rachini, Phra Sumane, Bowon Niwet, Sanam Chai, Tanao and Phra Athit.
