Motorcyclists protest ban on use of underpass and overpass

By Suriya Patathayo 
The Nation

 

 

Hundreds of motorcyclists are protesting for the right to use traffic underpass and overpass routes in Bangkok.

 

They gathered at the Ratchawipa Underpass on Sunday, as their representative headed to the Phaholyothin Police Station to discuss their grievance. 

 

“There is a regulation barring motorcyclists from using underpasses and overpasses. But this regulation is unreasonable because the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Traffic and Transport Department has assured us that these traffic facilities are safe for all types of vehicles,” said Pirasit Jirawongpaisarn, who represented the protesters. 

 

He called for the regulation to be revoked.

 

His group made the move a day ahead of the partial opening of the Ratchawipa Underpass, which will partially open to traffic from Ratchadaphisek from 10am on Monday. 

 

The underpass may open in full from Tuesday.

 

Metropolitan Police Division 2 deputy chief Pol Colonel Panudej Sukwong has said that motorcyclists could use the newly built underpass. 

 

“The motorcycle ban does not yet apply to this one,” he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30357845

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-11-05

2 hours ago, webfact said:

But this regulation is unreasonable

'reasonable' is not a requirement here for regulations or laws

"The motorcycle ban does not apply to this one" but it applies to others, no wonder Thais have the mantle of No 1 for road deaths even the police can't make up their minds which is which.

I think a minimum speed limit would be a better solution for these under and overpasses as most motorcyclists that use them illegally do so without inconveniencing anyone as they move at the same speed as the flow of traffic....or faster!  

 

The only problem I see is that with Bangkok traffic jams, half the time the traffic doesn't move fast enough to meet a minimum speed requirement.

Why do motorcycles need to use u-turns?
Cant they just drive on the other side of the road against traffic to reach their destination?

The bike riders are very much right, no reason why not to use these roads with a bike ( maybe not a 100 / 125 cc )

Same for highways or tunnels on Phuket.

The bike riders are very much right, no reason why not to use these roads with a bike ( maybe not a 100 / 125 cc )
Same for highways or tunnels on Phuket.

Even a 100cc bike can quite easily go 90 kph. (In good condition)
Top speed on any Thai road is supposedly 120kph....there is no reason to exclude anything except the smallest cc motorbikes 50-80cc from motorways
(which can be driven by youngsters at 15 )
and no reason at all to ban any size bike from tunnels,over/underpasses.

On 11/5/2018 at 6:52 AM, YetAnother said:

'reasonable' is not a requirement here for regulations or laws

so what are the requirements for laws?

nonsense?

motorbikes can ride from overpasses or underpasses or tollways.

like they do in Europe, US and rest of the world.

Such a nonsense regulation is only in Thailand.

it is a kind of discrimination against motorbikes. so rich guys on their nice cars can drive easier!

On 11/5/2018 at 1:37 PM, Deli said:

The bike riders are very much right, no reason why not to use these roads with a bike ( maybe not a 100 / 125 cc )

Same for highways or tunnels on Phuket.

Why not 100/125 cc this kind of bike driving insane fast too and very noisy