Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha wants to expand bicycle lanes throughout Thailand, setting forth improved bike routes as an urgent national policy if the cabinet approves the plan next month.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha leads the way in a bicycle ride after opening the 'Sor Sor Sor Presents a Day Bike Fest 2014' at the Airport Rail Link's Makkasan station on Nov 6. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)
Gen Prayut says nationwide cycling trails will relieve traffic congestion and motivate people to exercise more, Soithip Traisuth, permanent secretary to the Transport Ministry, said Thursday.
The plans set forth a pilot project in Phitsanulok province, which would spend 20 million baht to improve an existing 23km-long cycling path along the Nan River.
An initial sum of 5 million baht will be required to adapt a 4.5km-long portion of the road to clearly signal the presence of a bicycle lane. Following this first stage, the rest of the lane will be improved as well. There are plans to build parking and rest areas as well as other facilities.
"The policy aims to encourage Thais to use bicycles more often in their daily lives and while vacationing," Ms Soithip said.
Gen Prayut has appointed the Transport Ministry to handle projects jointly with the Interior Ministry, the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
"Each ministry has its own plan and its own budget dedicated to the proposal," she said.
The Transport Ministry is in charge of collecting data concerning existing bike lanes via its Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, while the Tourism and Sports Ministry will oversee cycle lanes that lead to tourist sites and sports stadiums.
The Interior Ministry will coordinate between the government and local administration organisations.
Because each province expects to have its own cycling lanes, information concerning the plans for these routes must be transferred back to ensure accuracy and good regulation of the policy, Ms Soithip said.
Special bicycle routes will be arranged by the Expressway Authority of Thailand and the Department of Rural Roads, while existing bike lanes on public roads will be improved to meet upgraded standards.
There are currently 31 paths reserved for cyclists in Bangkok located around the historical Rattanakosin island. Some paths are widely used while others need to be improved, and common roads largely used by cyclists must be adapted as well, Ms Soithip said.
She also mentioned the possibility of establishing bicycle lanes under elevated tollway areas in Bangkok.
The government would also add signals for the bike lanes.
Wherever there is enough room, a separate lane will be built for cyclists.
But in areas of limited space, they might need to share the road with motorised vehicles.
Ms Soithip said clear demarcations will be painted.