Free Bike Tour Around the Bangkok streets around Bangkok with a bike? It sounds stranger still to hear. In
the middle of Bangkok traffic is dense and thick smoke that was how the
vehicle may still have a place for riders.But, Bangkok has a
small street called soi, or if in Jakarta called rat lines. On the streets of this small comfortable touring bike can do. Many who love and want a walk like this because it enjoys a unique experience when using a bicycle around town.
Actually there are several travel agents in Bangkok that offer cycling tours. They arranged this tour as a group, complete with guides. But
to enjoy it we have to pay the price is quite expensive for us, can reach over 1000 baht (about 300 thousand dollars) just for a
half day tour.
But now some are free, with a new program from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to promote the use of bicycles. This program provides approximately 300 bicycles that can be used free of charge by foreign tourists and local residents. This program was recently launched in late August 2010.
For
the first phase, the BMA has built 8 Bike rental stations in the
Rattanakosin, the historical area in Bangkok is the site of an important
tourist objects. Eight
stations were located at Lan Khon Muang (in front of City Hall), Grand
Palace, National Museum, BMA's Tourism Division (in front of Phra
Pinklao Bridge), Suan Saranrom public park, Sib Sam Hang road (near
Khaosan Road) and Suan Santi Chai Prakarn Public Park (near Phra Sumen Fort). The next stage, they will build more bases to 100 bikes in other areas throughout Bangkok.
BMA does not provide a guide. Instead, they distribute free cycling route maps that can be used as a reference for the tourists. Not only that, the BMA even provide free insurance for tour participants. Before starting the tour, we are asked to fill out forms for insurance claims. So, if we had an accident while biking, the insurance would pay. All bikes are equipped lock, bell and GPS. If the bike to be stolen, BMA can easily track its location. Therefore, if a visit to Bangkok would not hurt to try this location, cheap and healthy.