Bangkok Bike to Take Place @ Impact Muang Thong Thani 2-5 May 2013

Bangkok Bike, a new event designed to promote the use of bicycles for both recreational and regular use and enhance the popularity of cycling tours for both local and foreign visitors, will take place at Hall 4, Impact Muang Thong Thani between 2-5 May 2013. Over 170,000 people are expected to attend the four-day period. [See: Pictures of Bangkok Bike Expo 2013]

According to the Thailand Cycling for Health Association, about 260,000 local people and expatriate residents of Thailand use bicycles for recreational travel and tours, but this can be increased by at least 20% with further marketing support and infrastructure development.

Mrs. Vilaiwan Twichasri Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business, said, “We are more than happy to jointly organise Bangkok Bike 2013 to tap the growing global popularity of travel by bicycle. Bangkok Bike 2013 is one way to stimulate the market by providing a one-stop-shop for interested consumers and businesses to get all the information they want, as well as exchange ideas on how to further grow the market.”

Cyclists and the general public will get information on six suggested bicycle routes covering five regions, be able to attend a seminar on bike tourism and meet with tour operators, hotels, resorts, local products, and One Tambon, One Product products.

Cycling is becoming very popular in Thailand. Click to Enlarge.

Mrs Vilaiwan Twichasri “Travelling by bike fits in well with our Seven Greens concept which we launched a few years ago as part of our commitment to environmental sustainability. It also fits in well with the national focus on “Creative Tourism”. By increasing the number of cycling trips from once a year to 2-3 times a year, we can significantly grow the economic value of tourism while lowering the environmental impact. Bike tours also meet the national socio-economic development policy by distributing income more deeply into local communities and helping local businesses sell their home-made products.”

The most popular types of tours are currently day-trips, two-day tours, and to a lesser extent, one-week tours. TAT has supported cycling tours in the past but, due to infrastructure limitations, these have been confined to a few provinces; such as, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Nan, and Samut Songkhram. TAT has also published a guide book for bike travel.

Future plans are to open more bike tour routes and tours across every province of Thailand, with proper bike path management to ensure safety and access to local community areas and beautiful scenery.

Special Activities @ Bangkok Bike 2013

Bike Line: For the first time in Thailand, visitors will be able to ride their bikes right into the exhibition. They can also cycle along the Bike Lanes around the event.

Exclusive Bike Parking: Indoor bicycle parking for more than 200 bikes.

Indoor Bike Park: Extreme indoor track cycling. For the first time in Bangkok, a special bike riding show will be organised by GURU and a team of professional bikers.

Stage: A lot of activities will be held on the stage; such as, seminar by GURU to share their experiences and knowledge on bike riding, games and prizes and an extreme-cycling show by professional cyclists.

Exhibitor Profile @ Bangkok Bike 2013

The Bike: Display and sell bicycles, bike parts, and accessories of all kinds.

Biker Style: Fashions, clothing, and accessories for cyclists.

Biker Gadget: Accessories, gadgets, and cameras for cyclists.

Bike Trip: Hotels, resorts, restaurants, cafés, tourist attractions, and groups of cyclists.

Bangkok Bike will be held 2-5 May 2013 from 10:00 - 20:00.

See: Pictures of Bangkok Bike Expo 2013