1,200 bikers join Car Free Day

 The parade participants, wearing yellow shirts, formed into the shape of Thailand and gave a rousing rendition of the national anthem at the National Stadium as part of the launch, presided over by Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin. Apirak himself rode a bicycle with actors and members of the public, forming a procession of over 2,000 along Rama I Road, Rama IV Road, Yaowaraj Road and Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, finishing at the Lan Khon Muang in front of City Hall.

Apirak pledged to proceed with the city's campaign to lower global warming's effects this year and the next and reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by 15 per cent in five years. He said there would be a month's evaluation of the campaign's progress. He said the five-year campaign would focus on reducing car use, changing from traditional bulbs to fluorescent lighting, promoting alternative energy, separating and reducing garbage and planting more trees.

The BMA has increased bicycle lanes to 12 on Ramkhamhaeng Road, Arun Ammarin Road and areas around Bang Yi Khan Canal. The city will also help cyclists by dealing with street vendors and other road obstacles, he said.

Many city residents from all age groups participated in the parade. A nine-year-old girl, Samonporn Sihatrai, who came with her younger brother and father, said she was happy to join the parade because it would make the environment better and cycling was good exercise.

Bang-ern Sriinthornsut brought his 2.5-metre-high bicycle. The front wheel has a diameter of 2.2 metres, and the machine received much attention. He said that an antique bicycle had inspired him to build it himself piece by piece over seven months.

Bang-ern hoped it would get Thai people interested in energy-saving and environmental conservation. He said he was willing to lend the giant bike to organisations campaigning for this.

Director-general of the Pollution Control Department Supat Wangwongwattana said if people turned to public transport it would lower the number of cars on streets and reduce carbon dioxide. He said there were 5.5 million cars in Bangkok and each ran approximately 30 kilometres a day, representing 150 million kilometres a day altogether.

The afternoon programme for the car-free day event at the National Stadium was exhibitions by agencies and organisations, games and a showcase of 100-year-old bicycles and a Bt450,000 Moulton bicycle.

Elsewhere, Chiang Mai residents also celebrated Car Free Day 2007, holding a bicycle parade from Three Kings Monument Plaza in Muang district to visit tourist attractions in San Kamphaeng district. Chiang Mai gave importance to the campaign after it came out among the five provinces using the highest amount of petrol at 500 million litres per year with nearly a million cars and motorcycles registered in the province.

Chiang Mai last year registered 83,000 new cars.

The public buses Saturday gave free rides as part of the celebration while today bicycle groups are scheduled to join a tour to other tourist attractions such as the Royal Flora 2006 Exposition site and the Wiang Kumkam ancient city. A pilot project to build three bicycle routes within the inner city and a proposal for more efficient public transport were also mentioned at the event.

The Nation