[sustran] Bangkok bike parking

D. Scott TenBrink scott at pedalsong.net
Thu May 4 20:25:20 JST 2006


 From today's Bangkok Post:

Bicycle parking at BMA offices

Parking areas are being set aside for bicycles at all Bangkok Metropolitan
Administration (BMA) offices. The move, prompted by the soaring price of fuel,
is to cater for employees who cycle to work and to encourage more people to
follow their example and at the same time help reduce air pollution.
Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said yesterday the move is part of 
the BMA's
energy-saving campaign.

As a first step, bicycle parking has been provided at the BMA's 
headquarters on
Dinso road and its second office in Din Daeng district.

As well, the 50 district offices and all BMA-run agencies have been instructed
to designate parking areas for bicycles.

Mr Apirak said the city is urging people to use public transport instead of
private cars and, with this in mind, is expediting the extension of the
skytrain route.

-------------------------------

While it is always nice to see the word "bicycle" show up in the Thai press,
this article does more to confuse than to promote cycling.

The program was set up to "reduce air pollution" as part of an "energy-saving
plan".  As I understand it, he energy-saving plan was initiated to reduce fuel
consumption in order to limit the expense of fuel subsidies (as opposed 
to just
eliminating the subsidies).  The program had nothing to do with clean air.

The bike parking is a perfect addition to the city's spuratic bike 
trail system
that is completely unconnected and goes nowhere. (I've got to post some
pictures of those "bike lanes" some time) This token effort thrown out 
in hopes
that people will feel an obligation to leave their cars, has defined 
Bangkok NMT
policy for a long time.

The trend of "urging" a reduction in fuel consumption instead of encouraging a
reduction via pricing seems to be continuing with the city's plea for 
people to
use public transport like the Skytrain.

If the BMA was serious about managing fuel consumption, improving air quality,
or promoting NMT, there are many more effective programs, which they have
previously turned down (many from people on this list!), that they may want to
reconsider.

-Scott





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