After six or seven trips to Thailand, I thought I knew Bangkok. I’ve visited the busiest roads, like Khao San Road and its side streets. I’ve been to night markets, flower markets, malls, aquariums, and temples. I’ve taken slow boats up the Chaopraya River.
In recent years, I’ve only used Bangkok as a place to sleep before launching to Chiang Mai or for family adventures to Koh Phangan, Phuket, and other islands where life slows to the rhythm of the sea. But I had never really explored Bangkok itself with teens until now.
With two teenagers in tow and four nights to spare, we decided to give Thailand’s capital the attention it deserved. My son had one request: he wanted to rent electric bikes. A friend of his had explored Japan this way, and he was convinced Bangkok would be just as exciting.
He was right.
Ebikes were our best family activity in Bangkok
After a quick search, I found Go Bangkok Tours (also known as Go Bangkok E-Bike), a highly rated small-group bike tour company run by a Dutch expat named Ray. The company is based in Bang Rak, one of Bangkok’s oldest and most fascinating neighborhoods, not far from Tower Club at Lebua, the gloriously over-the-top hotel famous for its sweeping city views and its cameo in The Hangover Part II. (Side note: I want to stay there next time.)
We booked online without prepayment, showed up with our passports, and were welcomed like old friends. The atmosphere was relaxed and personal. There was plenty of water to drink and even a coconut waiting in the fridge. This wasn’t a giant tour bus operation. It felt more like joining a local friend who happened to know every secret alleyway in Bangkok.
Is it safe to bike in Bangkok with kids?
This was the first question everyone asked when we returned home. “Are you crazy? How do you ride a bike in Bangkok?”
I hadn’t really thought about it because my kids ride bikes in major cities, and we know that in the busiest cities, cars get stuck in traffic and move slowly. I was mostly concerned about the pollution, and surprisingly, it was the least choking air I’d ever experienced in Bangkok.
Bangkok traffic is legendary. Motorbikes weave between cars. Tuk-tuks, which you can hail like an amusement ride, dart in every direction. Crossing the street can feel like a strategic exercise. But the tour was surprisingly safe, except when one rider ran out of power. More on that later.
Our guide was a local Thai, and the tour moved at a relaxed pace. We occasionally crossed busier roads, but most of the ride followed narrow lanes, quiet alleyways, and pedestrian-friendly pathways. Much of the time we were far from heavy traffic, weaving between the backyards and alleys of local communities.
And because the bikes were electric, nobody got exhausted.
Why electric bikes are perfect for teenagers
If you’ve ever traveled with teenagers, you know the secret to a successful trip: to get them off their phones, you need to keep them moving, keep them engaged, and keep them from melting in the heat.
Bangkok in April was blisteringly hot, one of the hottest stretches of weather I’ve experienced in Thailand. The electric bikes solved everything. The pedal assist did most of the work. We still felt active, but there was almost no strain. My teens loved the sense of freedom, gliding through the city with just enough speed to feel adventurous without any real effort.
For families, this is the sweet spot between sightseeing and fun.
One caveat: your teen needs to be at least 160 cm tall.
Ebikes take you to the hidden Bangkok you’d never find in four days
The real magic was seeing parts of Bangkok we never would have discovered by taxi or train.
We passed through narrow canals and quaint neighborhoods where we saw turtles and peacocks. We pedaled through hipster cafés and street art districts, meeting Thai influencers along the way. We explored quiet Buddhist temples, stopped at the bustling flower market, visited a famous hipster coffee shop, and rode through riverside communities before returning by ferry with our bikes.
Another highlight was sampling a strong local herbal spirit nicknamed the Thai answer to Jägermeister. My teenagers were not allowed to join in, and they still haven’t forgiven me.
Feeding turtles in Bangkok
Oddly enough, the most memorable part of the day was feeding turtles.
We stopped beside a canal where there was a pond, and we were given a small bag of sausage pieces. For nearly twenty minutes, my kids and I sat together, placing the sausage on sticks and offering it to enormous turtles waiting below. They fought for our meat sticks, and we loved every minute of it.
It was simple, slightly ridiculous, and absolutely unforgettable.
A four-hour shortcut to understanding Bangkok
Bangkok can be overwhelming. It’s enormous, hot, crowded, and not particularly walkable unless you know exactly where you’re going.
This electric bike tour gave us an insider’s introduction on day one. By the end, we understood the city better and knew which neighborhoods we wanted to revisit.
We also learned about Buddhism, temple etiquette, and the daily rhythms of life in Thailand.
Did you know that spirits in Thailand have a favorite treat?
Those little shrines outside homes, hotels, and businesses are there to attract spirits and ghosts so they don’t move in with you. And their snack of choice? Red Fanta.
If you want to make an offering, crack open a bottle and add a straw.
Don’t avoid Thailand during the rainy season
Warm tropical rain can be part of the adventure. Getting drenched in Bangkok while riding an electric bike sounds less like a problem and more like a story your family will tell for years.
Cost and value
There are several bike tours on offer in Bangkok. Ours cost around $50 per person, which felt very reasonable considering:
- Four hours of guided exploration
- Electric bike rental
- Ferry ride
- Snacks and drinks
- Expert local guidance
And for the Dutch guest who ran out of power on his stand-up scooter, there was an extra battery pack fully charged and ready to go.
Near the end of the trip, there was one stretch along a busy road where our guide instructed us not to stop under any circumstances. That, of course, was exactly where his battery ran out.
For us, it was easily one of the best family activities in Bangkok.
Our verdict: 10 out of 10
We’ve done temples, beaches, jungle adventures, and countless city tours.
This electric bike tour in Bangkok stands out as one of our favorite travel experiences in Thailand.
