A cycling path running alongside the irrigation canal in Chiang Mai, built to give cyclists a safe dedicated route, has become anything but, after motorcyclists have taken to riding it regularly, putting cyclists at risk of accidents.
Following complaints, local media visited the bike lane near Chiang Mai 700th Anniversary Stadium and found large numbers of motorcycles using the path as though it were routine, despite clear signage marking it for cyclists only. Cyclists and joggers say they must constantly watch for and dodge motorcycles along the route.
Morning cyclists told the media that motorcycles regularly use the path, particularly in the morning and evening, the same times cyclists and joggers are out. Riders are mostly local residents cutting through on their way to drop children at school or get to work. Those affected say the constant need to check ahead and behind for oncoming motorcycles makes the path feel unsafe, and have called for stronger measures such as physical barriers that would block motorcycles entirely while still allowing cyclists to lift their bikes over.
Teerapong Kajondechakul, deputy director of Chiang Mai Highway District 2, said the route already has clearly visible signage marking it as cyclist-only in several spots, along with existing barriers, but some motorcyclists simply disregard them. He said the department has taken note of the complaints and will add further measures, including new no-motorcycle signs to be installed in front of the 700th Anniversary civil servant housing and the stadium, appealing to motorcyclists to stay off the path for cyclists’ safety.
The bike lane runs alongside the irrigation canal and was built as a safe route for both recreational cyclists and tourists. It measures 1.5 metres wide, split into one lane for cycling and one for walking or running. Opened in 2015, it stretches roughly 5 kilometres from the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre to the entrance of Huai Tueng Thao.
