Authorities officially launched bicycle lanes stretching over eight kilometres on historic Rattanakosin Island in the centre of Bangkok on Sunday morning.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, right, tries the newly launched bicycle lane on Ratchadamnoen Avenue Sunday morning. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)
The routes are on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, Tanao Road, Bamrung Muang, Kalayana Maitri, Sanam Chai, Thai Wang, Maha Rat, Na Phra Lan, Na Phra That, Rachini, Phra Athit, Phra Sumen, and Sip Sam Hang roads.
Launching the routes, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he wanted to promote safe cycling as a part of everyday life because it saved money and reduced pollution. The government, he said, plans safe bicycle parking areas. He also asked motorists to follow the traffic rules and be kind to cyclists.
Gen Prayut said the government would ask property owners along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok to turn strips of land adjacent to the waterway into bicycle lanes.
Gen Wilat Arunsri, secretary-general to the prime minister, said Gen Prayut designated 7km of bicycle lanes on both sides of the Chao Phraya River in the vicinity of Rama VIII Bridge.