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On the occasion of the 27th Plenary Session of the International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Site of Angkor (ICC-Angkor) in Siem Reap on the 27th of January 2021, senior managements of the Cambodian government and representatives of international community joined an inauguration bicycle ride event at the newly developed cycling road within the Angkor World Heritage site. The event participants included Excellency, Dr. Hang PEOU, Director-General of APSARA National Authority, H.E. Mr. Bunly KOL, Secretary of State and Representative of the Royal Palace, H.E. Mr. Masahiro MIKAMI, Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia, H.E. Ms. Eva NGUYEN BINH, French Ambassador to Cambodia, H.E. Ms. Tina Redshaw, British Ambassador to Cambodia, and staff of the US Embassy and UNESCO Phnom Penh office.

The cycling lane project was initiated by A in 2019 and completed in 2020 which was open for the public to promote green tourism at Angkor.

The objectives of the project are to: provide an alternative route for local people, villagers and students and encourage the use of bicycles to reduce air pollution. The project also aimed at promoting a new form of tourism, giving international and national tourists an opportunity to discover the cultural landscape within the Angkor Archaeological Park: from Angkor Wat to Angkor Thom, the 23km lane passes through Ta Prohm Temple, Takeo Temple, Neak Poun, Sranh Srang, and the Eastern Mebon.

The cycling lane was set in a forestry area, 5-25 meters away from the main road to ensure greater safety for the local community and passengers. Natural soil materials were used for the lane (sandstone gravel compacted on a tamped sand foundation) and local vegetation was planted on both sides of the path (low-growing local species). The trail was equipped with ditches on both sides, a U-shaped blockage at each entry point, signage and road maps for tourists, following the recommendations by ICC Angkor.

Dr. Hang PEOU, in his opening speech, explained the government’s commitment for not only the preservation of cultural heritage but also reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in the Angkor World Heritage site. He also underlined that the safety of local school children was one of our priorities, whose schools were located within the Angkor Park. By using the cycling lanes, these children can now go to school safely. He also expressed his wish that tourists would feel the nature of Angkor and gain a mental health by visiting temples via bicycle within the forest.