Budget peddles out cash for bike lanes

PHUKET: Work on Phuket’s eagerly awaited bike lanes will start in October with an already approved budget of more than 50 million baht, confirmed Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong.

“Over 30 million baht from the 2016 fiscal year budget has been approved for the development of Bang Wad Reservoir, which will include the installation of bike lanes,” said Governor Nisit.

“We have also set aside 20 million baht to build bike lanes on 10km of Sakdidet Road, running along both sides.”

The Bang Wad plan was tabled by former Phuket Provincial Administration Organization President Paiboon Upatising in 2011 and, aside from bike lanes, included jogging tracks as a key recreational feature (story here).

Although a budget of 223 million baht was originally thought to be needed to redevelop Bang Wad Reservoir in 2011, which was to include a botanical garden, recreational area and a dam adventure zone, the amount approved is more than enough to include bike lanes and other recreational features, noted Gov Nisit.

The news follows the success of the national ‘Bike For Mom’ on Sunday in honor of HM Queen Sirikit’s 83rd birthday. The national cycling event broke the Guinness world record for the largest number of cyclists riding at the same time (story here).

Govr Nisit encouraged local governments to maintain the cycling trend in Phuket while pointing out that Bang Wad Reservoir will be a good addition for promoting sport tourism.

“Local people had requested that Bang Wad Reservoir be redeveloped into a new place for people to relax and to attract more tourists to Phuket,” Gov Nisit said.

“We have already held several marathons on the island. In the future, I would like to see more cycling events. Phuket’s landscape is really beautiful and cycling is good for health.”

— Chutharat Plerin