<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)">  <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> Dear all,<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> We just received this letter from a Bangkok citizen, who wrote to the local newspaper (Bangkok Post) and cc’d to our project. I thought you might be interested in reading it, since it’s really encouraging to see that a citizen is really convinced of sustainable transport and looks forward to improvements. Citizens are key players in the achievement of sustainable transport policy and practice.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Best regards,<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Carlos F. Pardo <o:p></o:p> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> </div> De: chomsgreacen@gmail.com [mailto:chomsgreacen@gmail.com] En nombre de Chuenchom Sangarasri Greacen Enviado el: Jueves, 15 de Junio de 2006 10:13 p.m. Para: postbag@bangkokpost.net CC: sutp@sutp.org Asunto: Don't pick on bikes<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> Don't pick on bikes<o:p></o:p> Thanks to columnist Saritdet Marukatat for bringing the unfortunate destruction of the Rama III bicycle path to the attention of Bangkok Post readers (14 June). He didn't have to use the opportunity to pick on bicycles, however. The columnist labels bicycles as impractical in Thailand because "this country wasn't designed as a haven for bicycles" and because "cycling is not the culture here in Bangkok", and because a public figure was once killed while riding a bicycle. <o:p></o:p> Give me a break. Speaking from personal experience, our middle class family of four has no car – just a couple of bicycles (each with a child seat). For us, bicycles have proven more effective than a car for grocery shopping, errands, and delivering our son to school. All of this in congested, car-infested Bangkok.  No pollution. No fuel bills. No challenges finding parking.  <o:p></o:p> Surely biking isn't for everyone, and it is true that Bangkok's rude drivers make bicycling risky. But it shouldn't be dismissed as impractical either. If politicians want to gain some points by posing on bicycles, that's OK. Though the exercise is clearly staged, at least they're setting an example of sorts. They should follow through by consistently riding bicycles to work instead of riding in VIP motorcades, by designating more bicycle lanes, by outlawing polluting 2-cycle motorcycles, and by tuning up dirty diesel bus engines.  <o:p></o:p> Already, bicycles are allowed on the BTS. And high quality bikes are available at low prices in Thailand thanks to reduced import tax. Just imagine how much more livable Bangkok would be if more people chose to supplement car use with bicycling from time to time.  <o:p></o:p> Chuenchom Sangarasri<o:p></o:p> 298/770 Narathiwas Rajanakarindra 24<o:p></o:p> Bangkok Garden<o:p></o:p> Bangkok, 10120<o:p></o:p> 02-672-0364<o:p></o:p> </div> </body> </html>