Nieuwsgierig geworden door het bericht ben ik wat gaan googlen. in de Bangkok Post vond ik het volgende:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/150808_News/ ... news97.php
Pedal power in the old city
City Hall has just launched the Green Bangkok Bike project to give tourists a greener way of seeing Rattanakosin Island, writes Supoj Wancharoen
In a bid to encourage bicycling as well as reduce traffic congestion around Rattanakosin Island, the old area of Bangkok, City Hall recently launched the Green Bangkok Bike project to offer 300 bicycles a day to tourists who want to cycle around the city's old quarter.
Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin kicked off the project with a budget of 10 million baht on Mother's Day on Tuesday when he led a caravan of 300 bicyclists on a cycling tour of Rattanakosin Island.
They started off at Lan Khon Muang, the public area in front of City Hall before moving down to Sao Ching Cha (the Giant Swing), Bamrung Muang road, Mahachai road, Maha Jesdabodin Pavilion, Ratchadamnoen Klang avenue, the City Pillar Shrine, and Phra Athit road before ending their 18-kilometre tour at Suan Santi Chaiprakan fort.
Under the Green Bangkok Bike project, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has contracted a private firm to provide 300 bicycles to be made available to Thai and international tourists who wish to cycle around the old quarter of the city free of charge.
The firm is also responsible for the maintenance of the bicycles.
People who joined the bicycle caravan initiated by City Hall take a break in front of Sao Ching Cha (the Giant Swing). — JETJARAS NA RANONG
Right now, the company has set up eight bicycle pick-up spots. They are at Lan Khon Muang, the Grand Palace, the National Theatre, the BMA tourism division at Tha Tien pier, Suan Saranrom park, Sib Sam Hang road and Suan Santi Chaiprakan park.
Thais who want to borrow bicycles under the project can simply leave their national identity cards with project staff at any of the eight spots and set off on their tours.
Foreign tourists are only required to leave copies of their passports with the project staff in exchange for a bicycle.
The eight bicycle pick-up spots operate from 10 am to 6 pm on weekdays. On Saturdays and Sundays, the service hours are extended to 8 pm.
Each person who borrows a bicycle will also receive a map with information on tourist attractions and historical sites on Rattanakosin Island such as the Grand Palace, Sanam Luang, Thammasat University, Phra Nakhon National Museum, the National Theatre, the College of Dramatic Arts, Phra Athit road, Suan Santi Chaiprakan, Phra Sumeru Fort, Bang Lamphu, the Democracy Monument, and the City Pillar Shrine.
However, observers surveying the roads around Rattanakosin Island have raised concerns about the cyclists' safety due to the heavy traffic in those areas and the shortage of clearly-designated bike lanes.
"I admit that several parties have raised concerns about safety. The BMA has tried to ensure safety for bikers by seeking cooperation from relevant agencies, for example, the Metropolitan Police Bureau and BMA city police," said Mr Apirak.
"But more importantly, motorists should help by changing the way they drive. Drivers should keep to their own lanes and not occupy the bike lane," he added.
In the future, the BMA may push for the issuance of a new traffic law banning vehicles from entering bicycle lanes, the Bangkok governor said.
Yanyong Saendee, one of the project staff at the Lan Khon Muang bike pick-up spot, said each location has between 20 to 30 bicycles for tourists.
Mr Yanyong said that since the project was launched on Tuesday, not many tourists have come to borrow bicycles at his pick-up spot. But he expected more enthusiasm during coming weekends.
In januari gaan wij naar Bangkok, dit gaan we zeker proberen.
