Riding a bicycle in Thailand

[KhorTose]

I have been on a diet since the first of September and by weight has gone from 118K to 84K.  I have not been doing any exercise, other then walking, as I find doing both diet and working out often does not work for me.  I am ready to start working out now, along with my diet, and several friends have suggested riding a bicycle.  I really don't think that is a safe thing to do in Thailand, and the recent death of the around the world couple kind of confirms that for me. 

 

http://road.cc/content/news/76476-uk-couple-riding-round-world-killed-thailand-just-weeks-after-their-film-accepted

 

So question for the board and especially for Michael.  Is it safe to ride a bike in Thailand?

[Guest thaiworthy]

Congratulations Khor Tose on your recent weight loss. Exercise has its own distinct merits but is not known for its contribution to weight loss. Don't let that fact dissuade you from trying, however. Diet modification is the most important and it sounds like you have a handle on that. It doesn't stop when you reach your goal, however. It is something you have to be aware of for life. 34 kilos is astounding in only 6 months time. That is the equivalent to 75 lbs. Even some gastric bypass patients can't even do that. I know I didn't. Probably took me about 9 months to get that far. I hope you have been doing it safely, however. Perhaps you can share with us some of your diet "secrets."

 

I read the story in the link and it said the bicycle accident occurred east of Bangkok, and some of the comments on other sites led me to believe it was in an urban area. Regardless, only you know the area in which you live and I'm assuming your journeys will start there. The reason for bicycle accidents are the same for motorcycle accidents in that both riders aren't easily seen on the road. In this instance, the driver of the truck that hit this couple took his eyes off the road when he bent down to pick something off the floor. Personally, I wouldn't drive a motorcycle or a bicycle in an urban area. You've seen the way people drive here. Ask Bob what he thinks about riding in Thai traffic.

 

To the best of my knowledge, Michael's experiences were on cross-country treks with many other bicycles en masse, in an organized and controlled situation. So there's safety in numbers. Hardly the same as what happened to this UK couple. But I probably should let him state his own opinions.

 

Other than that, I would say there are many other ways to obtain cardiovascular exercise. Minimize the risk. Join a gym. They have good equipment that will do the same as what you are looking for and it is much safer. 

 

In any event, I hope you will consider sending me an "after" picture. Keep up the good progress and let us know what you decide to do.

[Guest abang1961]

Khor gor-gor (gor-gor means elder brother in Cantonese),

You are amazing... getting rid of those extra pounds in just a few months.

 

Well if you are living in Bangkok, you may want to join in the Tai-chi (shadow boxing) sessions at Lumpini on weekday mornings.

I attended a few and yes, they are very very interesting. Just follow what others do.. (as I don't understand a word of Thai).

 

After the exercise, walk 2 big rounds within the park.. if time permits, ogle at the hunky bodies at the open gym.

[Bob]

"Several friends" really have suggested you ride a bike around the west end of town here?  Are they, perhaps, named beneficiaries on your life insurance policies?!?

 

Given you know better than most how they drive around here (i.e., traffic signals are purely advisory, the largest frame always wins, etc.), making yourself a target in that morass is simply nuts in my opinion.  Why not, instead, jump on a stationary bike at the gym that one of your goofy compatriots (i.e., me)  has suggested for months!  

[KhorTose]

Because stationary bikes are nau bua.

[Guest fountainhall]

In the light of Bob's comments, The Nation today has a front page article about the need for foreigners driving in Thailand to be given a Guide to inform them of Thailand's dreadful driving habits!

Assistant Prof Thaweesak Taekratok from the Crash Scene Investigation Project at Naresuan University said –
 

"A handbook should be distributed to guide each of them. We have to warn them of the improper or risky driving behavior of Thai motorists, risky areas on roads and how rescue workers and medical officials assist with injuries.

"Doing this could not be considered damaging to the country's image. You have to compare the effect from warning visitors about the facts before accidents occur, and when relatives of dead tourists begin digging up [details about] Thailand's traffic problems and bringing them before the foreign media. Which one would cause the worst impact?" Thaweesak said.

He said his team found many foreigners injured in traffic accidents thought all Thai motorists must stop at a red light, but when they did that they had a collision.

 

http://www.phuketgazette.net/thailandnews/2013/Thailand-News-Tourists-should-be-warned-expert-Olive-branch-to-militants-Match-fixing-allegation-20276.html

 

The President of the Tourism Council did not agree. He'd rather see the government finding ways to keep Thailand's roads safer! Fat chance! 

[TotallyOz]

Riding a bike is an excellent way to loose weight. If you ride it at a decent speed, you get your heart rates up and burn calories and you also build up your legs with lean muscle mass and that also helps burn calories more efficiently.

 

I was on organized trips in Thailand but I also rode on my own many times. I never had a problem anywhere I rode. Once you are out of the main cities, you are fine. Remember, Thailand roads have bike lanes (motorbike) for most areas. I never felt unsafe traveling on a bike other than in Bangkok.

 

There are a few groups that ride bikes around and have both Thais and Farangs. If you are in Chiang Mai, find a local bike club and ride with them after you build up a bit of speed. It is really fun to ride with the Thais. One group, the Hash riders meet one weekend per month in some city and they ride mostly on trails and back roads. It is a big group and they stay in hotels and party for the weekend while riding during the days.

 

If you want an adventure, try the www.tourdethailand.com group as they are great.

 

If you are more adventurous, I have friends in Bangkok that do bike tours through the city.

 

Most important, just get on a bike, wear a helmet and start riding. Thai drivers are use to bikes so much more than in USA and I always felt safer riding in Thailand than I do in USA.

 

Congrats on your weight loss. That is really fantastic. I am sure if you develop an interest in biking, it will not only be enjoyable for very beneficial for you. If you want some more information on groups, or anything else, please let me know.

[kokopelli]

I did do some basic research on bicycle fatalities in Thailand. It appeared that 3% of all traffic fatalities were bicycle related as opposed to 2% in USA if one can believe these statistics.

 

My own advice is go to a gym and exercise the whole body not just legs.

[Guest thaiworthy]

I found this article today which may help Khor Tose find in favor of riding his bicycle, assuming the risk of riding in traffic can be minimized to an acceptable degree.
 
The Benefits of Exercising Outdoors:
 

You stride differently when running outdoors, for one thing. Generally, studies find, people flex their ankles more when they run outside. They also, at least occasionally, run downhill, a movement that isn’t easily done on a treadmill and that stresses muscles differently than running on flat or uphill terrain. Outdoor exercise tends, too, to be more strenuous than the indoor version. In studies comparing the exertion of running on a treadmill and the exertion of running outside, treadmill runners expended less energy to cover the same distance as those striding across the ground outside, primarily because indoor exercisers face no wind resistance or changes in terrain, no matter how subtle.

The same dynamic has been shown to apply to cycling, where wind drag can result in much greater energy demands during 25 miles of outdoor cycling than the same distance on a stationary bike. That means if you have limited time and want to burn as many calories as possible, you should hit the road instead of the gym.

 

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/21/the-benefits-of-exercising-outdoors/?ref=health

[Guest thaiworthy]

On the other hand . . .

 

1. If walking is good for your health, the postman would be immortal.

2. A whale swims all day, only eats fish, only drinks water, and is fat.

3. A rabbit only eats vegetables, runs and hops all day long and only lives 5 years.

4. A tortoise doesn't run and does nothing energetic, yet it lives for 150 years.

 

And you tell me to exercise! I don't think so! Without your bicycle, your handle might be Khor Tortoise.

[kokopelli]

On the other hand . . .

 

1. If walking is good for your health, the postman would be immortal.

2. A whale swims all day, only eats fish, only drinks water, and is fat.

3. A rabbit only eats vegetables, runs and hops all day long and only lives 5 years.

4. A tortoise doesn't run and does nothing energetic, yet it lives for 450 years.

 

And you tell me to exercise! I don't think so! Without your bicycle, your handle might be Khor Tortoise.

 

I think you meant 150 years, not 450 years.

[Guest thaiworthy]

I fixed it. I think the only form of life that can live 450 years are trees.