The solution for Bangkok commuters: A bike path in the sky
Airport Rail Link (ARL) (i viewfinder / Shutterstock.com)
A 20 km elevated cycle path between Lat Krabang ARL station and Phaya Thai is to become the solution to traffic congestion and other inconveniences for traffic commuters in Bangkok.
Suchatvee of King Monkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and chairman of the Council of Engineers Thailand wants the bike path to be under the Airport Rail Link (ARL) and not next to it, as an earlier plan.
The bike path can be made from a strong and lightweight metal and attached to the pillars of the ARL. The ARL line serves as the roof and the entry and exit ramps can be installed at the ARL stations. The costs of the 'skyway bicycle lane' cannot yet be estimated.
The bike path should promote cycling for commuting in Bangkok and is an environmentally friendly alternative. Taking a bicycle is not yet an option for commuters because there are no good cycle paths.
Suchatvee makes further suggestions to the government to improve the convenience for cyclists, such as bicycle parking in every government building.
He points out that in many cities around the world, the bicycle is already a popular means of transport.
Source: Bangkok Post
Is this a serious plan? Commuting or cycling in the heat or rain? You can already see how few Thais walk when it is more than 50 meters….
I see more and more Thai bicycles. Especially on Sunday morning when they go out with a cycling group.
Commuters mainly go out in the morning and late afternoon. Before and after the hottest hours of the day. It doesn't always rain in Bangkok by a long shot.
No, John, you can come across as dry when it rains. (Under the roof) between the pillars.
Good plan.
BM
Under the roof yes, but that roof will probably not make sense everywhere if you have to go from Lat Krabang to Asok, for example.
As long as this isn't/isn't going to be air cycling….
If you can travel with the airport link in the air conditioning, why would you cycle under it? More trains would help more.
More and more Thai people also want more exercise. You have a nice view.
An elevated cycle path under the Aiport Rail Link where you can only enter and exit at an ARL station. Maybe I don't understand something, but I would take the train anyway. A lot faster and with air conditioning.
The heat can't be a problem. I am thinking of electric bicycles. I don't see it right away either, but on the other hand, knowing the Thai, if one starts with it, the others will follow very quickly. And if those beginners are also so-called singers or moviestars, it might work.
How much does such a bicycle actually cost in Thailand and can a Thai afford it?
An elevated cycle path of 20 km is very high in my opinion .