5 replies to this topic

[kimogoree]

Hi All.. am a long-time cyclist who comes to Thailand from time to time to ride up north out of Chiang Mai and I often connect through BKK with my bike heading to other places around the world to ride. Am excited to learn that the cycle path at Suvarnabhumi Airport has been renovated and will be opening soon. I have a couple of questions that I can't answer looking at the Thai sites/pages. Hope you all can help. I'm planning to come through Bangkok with my Pinarello for a few days later this month (25-26 November 2015) and am hoping to write an article on the new Sky Lane experience. (And thanks to Tim Shady for the October 15 posting... very useful)

 

1) When is the (redone) Sky Lane going to be opened?

2) Where will be the access/entry points and are there any recommended hotels within cycling distance? (I was thinking of staying at the Le Meridien at 789 Moo 14, Bangna-Trad Road, Km 10.5,Bangpleeyai, which is located near one of the old access points.) 

3) Are the Snap bracelets actually available now and can they be purchased at the Sky Lane?

4) Looks like there will be lighting (great!) for night riding. What will be the opening hours?

5) Are they allowing bikes on the Airport Rail link and, if so, would it be practical for using to stay downtown and use to get out to the Sky Lane and back?

 

Thanks to all.. DM me at kimo@iisd.org if you are not into posting to the forum. 

 

Kimo GOREE

United Nations Liaison, IISD Reporting Services

[Mike Hammers]

Kimogoree,

 

Thanks for the questions. I'll do my best to answer them with the information we have, as of November 12th.

 

1) When is the (redone) Sky Lane going to be opened?

 

Official announcement is, "before the end of the year". Having watched the progress of the rebuild I would personally say that anytime before mid-December would be very optimistic. The official website of the Sky Lane project experiences infrequent updates to its countdown timer and, considering that many of the planned improvements are still in the construction/install phase and some have been put on hold (awaiting supplies from outside Thailand), has been called into question most recently due to postings of photographs on social media sites of cycling groups riding on the track. The track is not open and these photographs have been taken by cycling groups who have been able to sneak onto the track.

 

2) Where will be the access/entry points and are there any recommended hotels within cycling distance? (I was thinking of staying at the Le Meridien at 789 Moo 14, Bangna-Trad Road, Km 10.5,Bangpleeyai, which is located near one of the old access points.) 

 

Access/entry points will be adjacent to the new parking lot area, which is currently being built for the sole purpose of accommodating Sky Lane riders' vehicles. The new parking lot will be near the Northeast corner of the airport along Suvarnabhumi Road 4, close to Long-Term Car Park http://www.suvarnabh...n/266-parking. 

 

The Le Meridien is very close to the airport but I can not confirm whether the old access point near that hotel will also serve as an access point on the new track. The assumption is that it would work well as a hotel that would allow riders to easily access the track. That might be a very good question to ask the hotel.

 

3) Are the Snap bracelets actually available now and can they be purchased at the Sky Lane?

 

The Snap bracelets have officially been postponed (until further notice) due to overseas manufacturer not being able to supply them on time and in the quantity needed. It's being said that the Snap bracelets will be available for purchase at the Sky Lane, when it opens.

 

4) Looks like there will be lighting (great!) for night riding. What will be the opening hours?

 

Old hours were 0600-1800. New hours are reported to be 0600-2200. Many of the light posts are yet to be installed, the contract to do so was awarded just last month (an entire month after the first cycling track completion date in September came and went).

 

5) Are they allowing bikes on the Airport Rail link and, if so, would it be practical for using to stay downtown and use to get out to the Sky Lane and back?

 

Bicycles are not allowed on the Airport Rail Link - Although I have seen people carrying a folding bicycle on the ARL. And, if you're using the ARL after arriving to Suvarnabumi Airport you can use the ARL with large luggage/bikes in boxes.

[kimogoree]

Mike; Comprehensive and honest answers... thanks! Looks like my plans to write an article on the track when I am in Bangkok in two weeks will have to be put on hold. I'll plan something for early 2016 (and then check just to make sure.) Kimo

[Natalie]

Thanks for the info, I've just moved to BKK from the UK and desperate to find places to cycle.

I heard you can still cycle round the airport just not on the track yet? Apparently other cyclists do this and there's a 15km stretch of road that's clear enough to get some good speeds on? Planning to go early tomorrow morning unless you have any better suggestions?

Also, it's such a shame we can't take bikes on the airport link! I guess a taxi is the only other option? Unless there's a cycle route there from town??

Thanks again,
Nat

[Mike Hammers]

Natalie,

 

Welcome to Thailand!

 

Yes, there are plenty of Bangkok-based cyclists who use the area, and long stretches of road, around the airport to get their kilometers in. Suvarnabhumi Road 4 in particular.

 

I'm assuming you're on a road bike so I would suggest you look in to joining a local club - like those found on our CLUBS & LINKS page. Some of them have their weekly ride meeting points listed. You could go out to Rama 9 and look into the road cycling scene there. And, you should plan to make trips outside of Bangkok to places such as Khao Yai. Your cycling experience in Thailand will be greatly enhanced by not remaining in Bangkok.

 

CLUBS & LINKS page - Check out GOTP - http://bicyclethaila...om/clubs-links/

 

Rama 9 - http://bicyclethaila...-cycling-scene/

[Mike Hammers]

There has been an update to the article about opening date for the Suvarnabhumi Airport "Sky Lane" cycling track.

 

Official opening date has been announced as December 26, 2015. Not all of the facilities are complete and you can see the posted open/close times and additional details at the update article here - http://bicyclethaila...re-end-of-2015/