LUANG PRABANG, LAOS: Visitors to Luang Prabang will no longer be able to rent bicycles and motorbikes in the main town, following a ban by local authorities on these rental businesses.
 

The ban has been put in place despite complaints by some local residents that it will present a negative image of the town to tourists.

The Head of the Luang Prabang Tourism Office, Khamphui Phommavong, said Monday (21 Jan) that motorbikes and bicycles were a major cause of road accidents, as visitors often were not experienced at riding or did not understand the local road rules and caused confusion among other road users.

He added that the problems also included an increase in thefts of rental bikes from tourists, further tarnishing the image of the World Heritage-listed town.

“We want to encourage people to walk around the city,” he said. “Those who don't want to walk can always take tuk-tuks and vans to get around.”

However, local people will still be allowed to ride their motorbikes and bicycles, but should observe the traffic regulations.

A local tour guide, Champou, said the former owners of bikes for rent were now selling them to locals who wanted them for their children to ride to school.

Officials said tourists could still ride bicycles and motorbikes if they were part of a group tour with a guide as this would avoid problems.

Specific parking spaces would be arranged for tuk-tuks and vans, which would leave more walking space and cut down on traffic congestion.

Luang Prabang authorities are also discussing how to ease traffic flow by installing more signs and increasing awareness amongst local people of the regulations.

“Only after we have our traffic problems sorted out can we consider allowing rentals again. We expect this to be some time in 2010,” said Khamphui.

A senior official from the Lao National Tourism Administration, Saly Phimphinith, stated that the administration was aware of the issues and believed that improving the regulations would create a more ordered city and attract more tourists.

But critics say bicycles, at least, should be allowed in central Luang Prabang, as they do not cause pollution and the city is small enough to be suitable for bike riding.

In addition, they say more traffic police could be deployed to tell people when they are riding in the wrong direction or breaking any other rules.

Two years ago, Luang Prabang's governor issued an order banning bicycle and motorbike rentals in the town, but the order was not strictly enforced.

Authorities also banned buses in the central town area two years ago to help improve the traffic flow.

Luang Prabang became a UNESCO World Heritage town in 1995, on the condition that it attempts to preserve its urban environment.

However, the town centre has changed as hotels, restaurants and other businesses have been established to cater to the tourist trade, with visitors numbering more than 300,000 in 2007. Authorities are anticipating a further increase this year to 400,000. (By SOMSACK PONGKHAO/ The Vientiane Times/ ANN)