On your bike

Bicycle-friendly Bangkok sounds like an oxymoron given how inhospitable the city's streets are. However, many local groups are initiating a strong movement to promote bicycling in the city as a way to get fit, ease traffic congestion, and save the world. And in case you want to become a part of this healthy cycle of change, here's our round-up of basic aspects of bicycling in the city you need to know.

CAFES FOR CYCLISTS

Bicycle-friendly businesses are more than just hangouts for bicycle buffs. They promote bicycling events, help create a sense of community among cyclists, and sell all things you need to become a real pedaller. Here are our selected places worth bicycling to for.

Officially opened on Sep 9 for an auspicious start, Cafe Velo Dome (8am-8pm, Thammasart University, 2 Phra Chan Road, 089-449-1128, facebook.com/CafeVelodome) is a one-storey cafe that allows natural light to flood in with floor-to-ceiling windows. "Velo" is French for bicycle and "Dome" refers to a landmark building that is a symbol of the uni. It sits right next to the uni's fence and opposite Sanam Luang. Bikers and non-bikers alike can choose from around 40 drink (B55-B95 for a coffee) and bakery items (B65 per slice of cake), while reading the loads of manga titles on offer. Should you want to encourage people to ride, write a message on a postcard the cafe provides. Maps of bicycling routes in Bangkok are available. If you are seriously considering bicycling to work but don't know where to start, leave your info with the cafe and they will try to find you a bike buddy for free. All baristas are cyclists so you can ask them about bicycling too.

House-turned-bike cafe Aran Bicicletta - Cicli & Cafe (Tue-Sun 10am-10pm, 18 Ari Soi 4, Phahon Yothin Road, 081-821-9603, facebook.com/aranbicicletta) is where you can grab a brownie and pimp your bicycle with new and vintage parts in a chill ambience. The white house operates a coffee shop on the first floor and a bike shop (Open from 1pm) on the ground floor. It's also the sole local distributor of Starf--kers bicycle parts from Japan. Drinks include a cup of joe (B55), beer (B50-65 per bottle) and Italian soda (B55). Go there every Tue and Thu to join an amicable group ride that starts at 8pm.

Velayenn Bike Shop (Tue-Sun noon-10pm, Thong Lor, Thararom Soi 2, 080-900-2610, facebook.com/yelayenn.shop) offers a serious selection of bicycle parts from well-known brands such as Dodici Cicli, Campagnolo and Ambrosio as well as accessories like body-hugging sling bags. Servicing for every type of bicycle is available. The shop is known for vintage fixies (fixed-gear bicycles) and road bicycles. Re-energise with Discwheel donut (B50) and a dip (B10 for chocolate, B15 for either honey or Nutella) or a simple toast with peanut butter (B25) while you flip through books, magazines and mangas on bicycles. Follow their Facebook page to learn about their occasional bicycling trips.

The former bike cafe Sealee Fixed has evolved into two different venues - Good Dee and Sealee Bike Shop (Tue-Sun 11am-8pm, Chokchai 4 Soi 56, 089-893-6072). Owners Sea and Lee decided to move their bicycles out and put them in a separate shop only 50 metres away from the original space. The cafe is still there to serve affordable coffee (B35) and yoghurt (B30-B80) while you can browse the different types of bikes including city, downhill, fixie and BMX at the nearby bike shop. Their other outlet, Sealee Urban (Tue-Sun 11am-8pm, 2044/1 Phetchaburi Road, 086-334-0660, facebook.com/sealeeurban), is tuned towards urban cyclists and people who want to adopt their first bike with choices of easy-to-ride and city bicycles. They sell products from Cadence, DVS, Chub Hub, Philwood & Co, H+son, Fuji, Airwalk and more. They also host a group ride every Tue and Thu from 8pm-midnight, starting at Sealee Urban, each time taking a different route. Go to their Facebook page to get an update on their next bicycling event and join in for free.

Three neighbouring venues - Cyle (Tue-Fri 5pm-midnight, Sat-Sun 3pm-1am, Sukhumvit Soi 31, 087-940-0611, facebook.com/thecyle), Sweet Pista (Tue-Sun 11am-10pm, 02-662-2866, facebook.com/sweetpistabangkok) and Sixty-Fixy Bangkok (Tue-Sun 11am-8pm, 084-123-6655) - is a collective hotspot for bike riders. Cyle bar is where you can have a drink and buy bicycle accessories including light tails as well as apparel such as T-shirts, shoes, hats, helmets, and glasses. From 6-8pm, buy one cocktail (B150 per glass) and get another for free. If you bicycle to Cyle and take a picture of yourself with your ride in front of the venue, you'll receive a bottle of mixed juice for free. Bike to Sweet Pista for Italian and American fare and a view of fixed-gear bicycles and bike frames hung on the wall. Highlights include eight spaghetti dishes (B180-B250) and burgers with choices of fish, beef or pork patties (B180-B350). Or restore your sugar levels with cakes (B95-B125). Sharing the wall with Sweet Pista is Sixty-Fixy which is specialised in fixed-gear bicycles and road bikes. The owner, Tee, recently competed in Fan Phan Tae on an episode of road bike expert. He's ready to advise you on how to build your very own bike from different parts on offer or suggest pre-made options. Bike cleaning, maintenance and revamp are available. Be at the shop every Sun at 7am to partake in a group cycle.

With a grilling station in front, riders should be able to smell Crazy Cycle (1-9pm, 204 Lat Phrao Soi 71, 02-907-8403, facebook.com/crazycycle) before they arrive. The shop closes every second and fourth Mon, features a restaurant with some Japanese-esque decor, and offers custom-made fixies. After a heavy ride, munch on yakitori (B35-B55) and drink Asahi beer (B55 per glass). Buy five Asahi beers to get one for free until the end of this month. Earn extra street cred by getting a tattoo at Love Is Pain studio (084-111-4224) on the second floor. Be at the shop at 7am every Sun to join a group ride for free.

JOINING THE CIRCLES

No one is born an earth-loving, energy-saving bicyclist. Join these bicycling groups to get help and tips on bicycling in Bangkok as well as info on upcoming events.

Bangkok Bicycle Campaign (facebook.com/BangkokBicycle) fights for the rights of bicyclists. The page offers information and pictures of hidden alleys in Bangkok, biking trips, bike shops, bicycle-related news and more. They will even help you find a bike buddy for people who want to start riding. Their latest effort is a survey of manhole covers found on Bangkok streets to find out which ones are in bad condition and are a potential danger to bicyclists so the authorities will change them.

Bike to Work - BKK (facebook.com/BikeToWorkBkk) encourages you to do just that in the Big Mango, posts photos of random bicyclists spotted in the city, and shares bicycle-related news from other sources. Don't miss a series of interviews of bikers in the city called Meet the Riders if you want to get a glimpse of what to expect while you're on the road.

Self-described as being about style rather than speed, PER SPEC TEEB (facebook.com/Perspecteeb) shares various topics regarding bicycling in Thailand and foreign countries. It offers illustrations of bicyclists by foreign artists, pictures of random Thai bike riders, info on bike shops, info on bicycles with cutting edge design, biking trips and more. The page also acts as a forum of communication between cyclists. Started in Aug, it aims to change the perception of Thai people and make them aware of the importance of using bicycles in their daily life.

Thai Cycling for Health Association (9am-6pm. 2100/33 Narathiwat Ratchanakharin Soi 22, Chong Nonsi, 02-612-4747 , 02-678-5470, www.thaicyling.com, facebook.com/TCHAthaicycling) holds activities to promote the use of bicycles as a mode of exercise as well as transport in daily life and tourism. They accept donations of used bicycles to be forwarded to children in provinces. Don't forget to check out their free monthly e-magazine called Sarn Song Lor, which includes in-depth details of upcoming bicycling events, articles on bicycling situation in Bangkok, experience of adventurous cyclists in provinces and bicycle commuters in Bangkok, and tips on how to tune your ride.

WORDS ON THE STREET

Let's hear from some of the city's bicyclists. Heed their words and you should have a better idea of what to expect while you're pedalling on Bangkok streets.

"At first I was scared at the thought of bicycling to work given how dangerous the streets can be and it took some time to get used to it. I'm no longer afraid now but I always try to be careful and wear a helmet. Bicycling makes you healthier. You don't have to worry about traffic congestion and get to save money. I especially like the new friendships I have made with fellow cyclists. It makes me see the city in a different way, a slower way. I feel like I get to take in the details of this city while I ride better than I do when I take other types of transport." - Nuttachai Nim-anong, 25, architect

"Biking in the city is analogous to life in general. It's not easy out there on the road when you're an underdog, so you'd better make sure you've got what it takes to survive, in this case safety gear and mindfulness. I often hear people say they don't bike in Bangkok because of the hot weather. Trust me, the world is only getting warmer, so the best time to start is now." - Thanyarat Doksone, 30, AP reporter and administrator of Bike to Work - BKK.

"Riding a bicycle makes you more aware of your surroundings than taking a car does. Time quickly passes when you look at what's on both sides of the road. Sometimes I spot a new shop I never knew existed before. I've seen many female cyclists. They are either housewives going shopping or dropping off their kids at school or lottery sellers. I don't see many office ladies bicycling to work probably because they are concerned about looking tired in the morning when they arrive at the office. I try not to go fast so I don't look exhausted and it's safer too. Try biking to work and you'll know if it's for you." - Narawan Phongphimai, 29, graphic designer*

"If you don't live too far from your office, are fed up with crowded buses and traffic jams and want to exercise, save time and money, I think bicycling is for you. An extra bonus is that you help ease global warming and that you feel fully awake and ready for your work." - Nantanit Phongphimai, 26, assistant teacher*

"I started riding a bicycle to work because I want to do my tiny part in saving the world from energy overconsumption and global warming. I also like bicycles to begin with. Bangkokians should take up bicycling to reduce traffic congestion, which will improve the air and reduce carbon monoxide levels." - Pongsakorn Areesiripaisarn, 31, university professor*

Source: Bike to Work-BKK

UPCOMING BICYCLING EVENTS

You'll never bicycle alone. Here are our selection of bicycling events in the near future to join.

On Oct 6, city riders should be ready for fun races and chances to win prizes at VanMoof City Spin Race (8am-3pm, Lumpini Park, MRT Silom or BTS Sala Daeng). Partake in the Fixie Race to win a VanMoof No.5 bicycle. An HP Spectre Laptop is up for grabs in Vanmoof + City Bikes Race. It's about style rather than speed when it comes to a competition to find out the best-looking bike and lifestyle contest, which offers prizes of a Nutcase helmet and Narifuri jersey. More info at facebook.com/VanmoofThailand.

On Oct 16,Thai Cycling for Health Association invites cyclists of all levels to join a bicycling trip from Suan Rod Fai (Kamphaeng Phet 3 Road, MRT Chatuchak or BTS Mo Chit) to Koh Kred and back to Nonthaburi on Oct 14 from 7:30am-3:30pm. The association will organise a biking-and-eating trip to Yaowarat for the upcoming vegetarian festival on Oct 19 from 7:30pm. On Oct 23, or King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day, the association will host a biking trip to Bangpoo Recreation in Samut Prakan where you can relax among nature.

Lovers of vintage road bikes and fixies should attend the fourth Bangkok Vintage Bicycle Show (Nov 25, 7am-6pm, Silpakorn University, Maha Rat Road, facebook.com/Bangkok-Vintage-Bicycle-Show). They can convene over bicycles, browse pre-owned parts for sale and cycle together.G