Riding a bike

[johnnyk]

Thanks all,
I'm glad to hear its not a nightmare. But I do think I'll give the Chomsin-Phechkasem intersection a miss!
Cycling is no treat in Canada I can tell you.
Too many motorists regard cyclists as 2nd class road users and often don't give way, shunt them off the shoulder or open doors into the lane. To be fair though, quite a few Canadian cyclists are too busy "saving the planet" in their own head and don't think the rules of the road and common sense apply to them.
Best country IMO is France where cycling is the real national sport (bike ownership is huge). Drivers respect cyclists (because they ride as well) and will wait to pass safely. For their part the cyclists abide by the rules of the road.
Mutual respect is the key.

[PeteC]

We have a bit of a dog mafia on our area over here as well. My neighbor who rides daily has two water bottle holders on his bike. One has water and one has a can of Baygon insect spray. He say's a good stiff spray in the face of the nipping dog does the trick, and once sprayed, they have left him completely alone on subsequent rides. I believe he uses the cockroach spray as it comes out in more of a stream than the mosquito spray does. Pete

[valrhona]

I think it's somewhat funny to hear about riding bikes being dangerous in Thailand... I've ridden from Singapore to Luang Prabang and around the northeast and I've never had a problem. Of course there are some drivers that come a little close and are discourteous, that happens anywhere.

At least in Asia, there's no rage towards bicycles or at least I've never experienced it. In western countries, I've had beer bottles/cans thrown at me(Australia, Canada, US), drivers opening doors on purpose while I try to ride between in traffic(Canada), shooting a gun near me to see how scared I would be(where else but the US) not to mention the numbers of times I've been honked at because I took too much space on the road, sometimes followed by physical/verbal confrontation because the drivers were unhappy.

To me, the heat is probably the worst thing about riding in Thailand

[PaulHamon]

read the book, the invisible gorilla, it demostrates how bicycle/motorbikes back in the west get collected by cars because the don't *see* them, but here in Thailand we are safer because there is more erratic and slower moving vechiles on all roads.

I've riden around 10,000km in Thailand and so far been fine (touch wood)... but you have start thinking like a Thai and don't think that the road rules and customs back home are the same as here.

[charlesh]

Mad dogs and Englishmen (and Canadians) go riding in the mid day sun! Ba ba bor bor!
Is thinking like a Thai an oxy moron ha, ha?

[dozer]

With regards to dog attacks, I have taken to the attack being the best form of defence tactic.
I carry a small squeezy with a vinegar, citrus and “other chemical” mixer tuck into my shorts.
However one particular dog always attacks on my left hand side which is my weak side, but two days ago I finally managed to nail him.
I actually stopped to watch it writhe around in agony, very satisfying.

[Spitfire]

The roads are very dangerous here no matter what you are driving/riding, period. It's just that the hazards vary slightly depending upon which type of vehicle or mode of transport you are using.

Unfortunately, in general, Thai drivers often display contempt to all other users of the roads and display hopelessly useless examples of how to drive on the road regardless of transport mode. Those that have not experienced it are just very bloody lucky, which seems slightly bizarre to hear.

[STEVE G]

Cycling is not too bad in Thailand if you find routes that keep you away from heavy traffic.
Around Hua Hin you have to get to know all the routes that link all the areas behind the town to keep you away from Pethakasem road.
The canal road out past Palm Hills is a pretty easy ride as well.

[PET]

The canal road out past Palm Hills is a pretty easy ride as well.

I would personally avoid Canal Road and particularly in early morning/evening rush hour, when there are so many motor bikes that driving a car needs particular care.

I see a number of cyclists going along Nong Plub road to the bypass, and as that road has been widened it seems reasonably safe.

[PaulHamon]

So, what about a bicycle? I like biking and I've seen quite a few people riding around town.
My questions to cyclists are:

Do you consider cycling in and around HH risky?

No, don't easy 10,000 kms in Thailand in the pst couple of years... Car drivers and used to slow moving and eratic vehicles on the road, so in that respect it's better

(a) you have to assume they think you are moving less than 8 km per hour, and they will act accordingly to that first thought, so when you are moving 20km plus you need to think about putting yourself in the clear.

(b) get a helmet protect your head, personally never ride the motocy or bicycle without one!

Do Thai drivers respect cyclists or regard them as in the way?

They are great, usually give you a wide berth, understand that cars/tuk/motocy/carts/bicycle are all over the road and compared to countires we cars are MOST of the traffic deal better with slow moving vehicles.

Would you consider cycling riskier than riding a moto?

NO WAY, travelling at less than 20km per hour will always be safe than travelling at 40km plus. If you do happen to come off a bicycle you will be better off.


I ride around 200km per week in the Hua Hin area and know about many other that do the same, if you pay attention and don't cycle drunk you'll be fine!

[johnnyk]

Paul, how long did it take from CM>>>KL?
Your partner has a nice bike....

[PaulHamon]

around 6 weeks, was aiming for singapore (4-5 day more)
but we took a few extra days for to relax

[Aussie_Al]

Hey There,
Only been living here like a month myself, but ride almost daily from up past the elphant place on the hill, to the day makets near the railway station, and to Tesco Lotus shopping center. With so far no problems at all.
Although riding my electric assist bicycle brought from Australia.
I am both damm near as fast as the mopeds when the traffic not heavy, and guess as a farang decked out in a quality bike helmet, a bit of a novelty I guess.

If you take care, use common sence, and expect others to do stupid things, you should be pretty safe...okay.

[SpoonZie]

i gave riding a bike over here a go. rented one for 60 baht ... my advice would be avoid the main road , its bad enough crossing it when walking but with a bike i just stood still like an idiot.

2. get a good bike. the bike i was riding had no gears which meant it went ridiculously slow and made me feel like a complete idiot riding it.

i returned the bike after like 20 minutes because i could walk to the other side of main road quicker (cant jump hedges with a bike) -.-