What Is With All Those Forbidden For Motorcycle Flyovers

[robblok]

Today i went into BKK on the bike GPS mounted. I passed a number of flyovers that were forbidden for motorcycles (but there where motorcycles using them) so i did the same.

I cant see the reason for not wanting motorbikes on a flyover. My bike is probably faster then a lot of cars. An other pet peeve of mine is the roads (not tol roads) that are off limits to bikes. I really don't understand the reason for it (if you have a fast bike that is and keep up with traffic)

I wonder how many of the bikers here ignore those signs. I must say flyovers i usually just take but those non allowed roads i give a pass. But it is seriously annoying as it the roads parallel to it are often a lot slower and clogged up.

I almost took a bridge that i could not take today (turned back on time its the bridge next to that one leading to khao sarn road. Again... why no motorbikes allowed. I can understand they dont want real slow moving bikes there but the faster ones.. why not.

[colinthailand20005]

I have been riding my motorbike in Bangkok for 3 years, and I agree with you I don't understand why it is not allowed, I asked my previous school principle and he could only give me the answer it is forbidden.

But really I can't see a reasonable explanation why, possible reasons are if a motorbike breaks down or is involved in an accident then help would be harder to provide, but this is Thailand and nobody really cares about some motorcyclist, I think it just comes down to making rules where rules are not required, and also many times I have gone over the bridge and guess what there is a policeman ready and waiting to collect a fine, well on many occasion I have just drove of, but I have had to stop on a couple of occasions.

But nowadays I am extra vigilant for police because corruption is rife and I refuse to pay anything, if I simply must stop, I will talk very quickly in English and he eventually understands I am not going to pay, and is missing out on many other Thai's that are more than willing to pay, corruption in Thailand will not stop until the Thai people stand up to it and say enough is enough, but this will not happen in my lifetime.

[colinthailand20005]

Don't take that bridge your talking about there are always police waiting to collect your money, I did once and he wanted 1000 baht, I eventually had to pay 100 baht, if I am on my motorbike I only keep 100 baht at a maximum in my wallet, and show this to the policeman, they always accept it.

[sulasno]

motorcyclists don't take the bridge if they value their lives

[bdw]

"there where motorcycles using them"

WHERE ?

I hope you don't teach here, LOL

Fearing for my life comes to mind when crossing bridges on a motorbike in LOS. There's no where to go when a truck runs you off the road.

[givenall]

Don't take that bridge your talking about there are always police waiting to collect your money, I did once and he wanted 1000 baht, I eventually had to pay 100 baht, if I am on my motorbike I only keep 100 baht at a maximum in my wallet, and show this to the policeman, they always accept it.

A lot of traffic laws for motorbike or cars in Thailand donot make sense other than is way to trap people to get money.

[surayu]

Just smile at the police cars coming from the opposite direction and in the wrong lane at night and with the lights switched off, having no idea on how to use their direction's lights either.... TIT

[random]

I always guessed it was to do with the chaos an accident would cause, and very often you see bikes coming back at you on these bridges when they get to the top and see the police waiting on the other side, a couple of flyovers on Ratchada Road seem to have police there more often than not.

[p_brownstone]

I have always assumed it is because most Flyovers are quite narrow and the chances of a car clipping a motorcycle - or vice versa - are much higher than on the open road.

As we all know when that happens in Thailand the standard practice is to stand around taking pictures, calling the Insurance Company and waiting for the police to arrive - in the meantime the vehicles are left where they are. On a Flyover this would cause total chaos because cars lining up behind the accident have no way of getting around the scene - much less backing up to get off the Flyover.

Patrick

Edit : Typo

Edited June 19, 2011 by p_brownstone

[fatfather]

Why do you want to get an answer from expats in Thailand about what Thai authorities are thinking about when they make laws???? How can we know???

[robblok]

Why do you want to get an answer from expats in Thailand about what Thai authorities are thinking about when they make laws???? How can we know???

Some of us have friends or wives with an education. I know its hard to imagine for some people but there are those of us who don't date uneducated bar girls. There are even a few who can speak / read and write Thai. (i am unfortunately not one of those i just speak it reasonable). So yes there are ways for a expat to know the things that i am asking for.

[robblok]

"there where motorcycles using them"

WHERE ?

I hope you don't teach here, LOL

Fearing for my life comes to mind when crossing bridges on a motorbike in LOS. There's no where to go when a truck runs you off the road.

No I dont teach here and i am allowed to make a mistake or 2 as this is not my native language. I also dont really check my grammar that much when i post here, im not writing an official letter or something of that nature. This is my 3rd or 4th language, i wonder how many you speak.

But to get back on the subject at hand. You can always go anywhere because most flyovers have at least 2 lanes.

[robblok]

Don't take that bridge your talking about there are always police waiting to collect your money, I did once and he wanted 1000 baht, I eventually had to pay 100 baht, if I am on my motorbike I only keep 100 baht at a maximum in my wallet, and show this to the policeman, they always accept it.

I did not take that bridge, i was used to taking it when i drove my car. But i decided to use my bike more often when i go into BKK because of all the traffic plus its a nice fast bike. Thanks for the info anyway.

[robblok]

I have always assumed it is because most Flyovers are quite narrow and the chances of a car clipping a motorcycle - or vice versa - are much higher than on the open road.

As we all know when that happens in Thailand the standard practice is to stand around taking pictures, calling the Insurance Company and waiting for the police to arrive - in the meantime the vehicles are left where they are. On a Flyover this would cause total chaos because cars lining up behind the accident have no way of getting around the scene - much less backing up to get off the Flyover.

Patrick

Edit : Typo

That might be the reason but cars can hit other cars too on flyovers. But so far its the most plausible explanation i have heard. But at the speed most bikes are driving cars are not likely to clip them on a flyover.

[surayu]

Well, guys i have been reading your reasons and i have to agree that they make sense, there is some rationality in those possible answers, then i thought of where we are, Thailand, so it must to be some kind of same same but different answer to it.

My conclusion for the existance of the flyover and why they are forbidden to motocy, it's because in the hierarchy of the veihcles, the motocy it's an inferior machine, so, the various Mercedes, Fortuner and all the rest to follow, can be placed in a higher level of the road to confirm their status and have their moment of glory, when this concept is clear to all the other surrounding road users, then and only then, they can come back down again :jap:

[jpp2bkk]

Big bikes (over 400cc) number on the road is increasing especially since the last two years. Authorities will have to deal with it but certainly not mix it with mopeds.

[Sateev]

Big bikes (over 400cc) number on the road is increasing especially since the last two years. Authorities will have to deal with it but certainly not mix it with mopeds.

Motorcycles have to ride in the far left lane, where it is most dangerous, and most likely to cause accidents. It has NOTHING to do with the size of the bike.

In my opinion, it is expressly for revenue collection. Not from the bikes that ride the flyovers, but to make the others ride past the intersections where cops set up their roadblocks. If the flyovers were used, the traffic at those intersections would dwindle to nil. The cops don't want to ride around, looking for infractions; they want the potential tea money to fall right into their hands.

Look at Ratchadapisek, toward Ladprao Rd. Every day, on at least four corners, there are dozens of motorcycles pulled over for essentially a pretext, or in many cases, nothing.

Greed, and laziness keep motorcycles off flyovers.

I especially hate it, because I rely on GPS to rout me to places I'm unfamiliar with.

This is Thailand, get used to it.

[WhizBang]

Motorcycles have to ride in the far left lane, where it is most dangerous, and most likely to cause accidents.  It has NOTHING to do with the size of the bike.

In my opinion, it is expressly for revenue collection.  Not from the bikes that ride the flyovers, but to make the others ride past the intersections where cops set up their roadblocks.  If the flyovers were used, the traffic at those intersections would dwindle to nil.  The cops don't want to ride around, looking for infractions; they want the potential tea money to fall right into their hands.

LOL, I have never seen the motorcyclists confined to the far left lane.  My experience is that the motorcyclists will go where ever they want, including the sidewalks (and then get pissed at the pedestrians).

I have also seen the cops set up a booth(?) on top of a flyover, thereby blocking the left lane while they just sit there grinning at all the chaos their blockage is causing.  Complete f...ing <deleted>.

Amazing Thailand... Indeed.

Edited June 19, 2011 by WhizBang

[robblok]

Motorcycles have to ride in the far left lane, where it is most dangerous, and most likely to cause accidents.  It has NOTHING to do with the size of the bike.

In my opinion, it is expressly for revenue collection.  Not from the bikes that ride the flyovers, but to make the others ride past the intersections where cops set up their roadblocks.  If the flyovers were used, the traffic at those intersections would dwindle to nil.  The cops don't want to ride around, looking for infractions; they want the potential tea money to fall right into their hands.

LOL, I have never seen the motorcyclists confined to the far left lane.  My experience is that the motorcyclists will go where ever they want, including the sidewalks (and then get pissed at the pedestrians).

I have also seen the cops set up a booth(?) on top of a flyover, thereby blocking the left lane while they just sit there grinning at all the chaos their blockage is causing.  Complete f...ing <deleted>.

Amazing Thailand... Indeed.

Motorist are confined to that lane according to the law. I however don't do it because its the most dangerous lane there is. You get cut of by buses, taxi's and minivan's all the time. I accept that i will get fined for it if the grab me.

Today the boys in brown were out in force i saw a few roadblocks and on the way back they almost got me. I drove on the right lane because there was a lot of slow moving traffic on the left (almost standing stile) later i found out that it was because of a roadblock by the police. They tried to wave me off to stop but i was going to fast to do that safely so i just went on.

I really hope they do something about the rules of not being allowed on certain roads. They should do so by 250cc and up or so. My bike goes fast enough to keep up with or pass cars. It probably will never happen that they change the law as it would cost the cops too much money. But i can dream.

[fatfather]

Why do you want to get an answer from expats in Thailand about what Thai authorities are thinking about when they make laws???? How can we know???

Some of us have friends or wives with an education. I know its hard to imagine for some people but there are those of us who don't date uneducated bar girls. There are even a few who can speak / read and write Thai. (i am unfortunately not one of those i just speak it reasonable). So yes there are ways for a expat to know the things that i am asking for.

Can't get the point of bar girls and law makers!? In my case that would mean, if I date bar girls I would understand more?

fatfather

[robblok]

Why do you want to get an answer from expats in Thailand about what Thai authorities are thinking about when they make laws???? How can we know???

Some of us have friends or wives with an education. I know its hard to imagine for some people but there are those of us who don't date uneducated bar girls. There are even a few who can speak / read and write Thai. (i am unfortunately not one of those i just speak it reasonable). So yes there are ways for a expat to know the things that i am asking for.

Can't get the point of bar girls and law makers!? In my case that would mean, if I date bar girls I would understand more?

fatfather

Smart one but not smart enough for me You got my drift and are trying to safe face.

[Tibo27]

I have herd severals times that the reason is this law about flyovers has been made at a time where big bike (meaning 400cc up) were not legally imported in Thailand. So the only available bike on the roads were small cc, mostly 2 storke. Now if you forget the bangNa kids'2 stroke, most of those bikes are slow. The first part of the flyover is to go up and it is even today quite usual to see mopeds stuck at 20km/h.

And in that case I totally understand why mopeds/small bikes should not be allowed on flyovers.

The problem is that now we can see many big bikes in Bangkok but the law hasn't change. I think they need to adapt the law to, somehow, the market reality.

But I am riding 1000cc sportbike and a 110cc KSR. While I avoid flyover with the ksr (too slow, even if some cars are slower, 80km/h on flyover is too slow IMO), with the sportbike I have no prob taking flyover, we all do so and the police don't stop us (especially if we are in group).

Tibo

[surayu]

Maybe i got the wrong impression, but i got the feeling that someone here thinks the flyover are actually like a ramp for taking off to the sky, so even if we can see that the larger vehicles are often slower than small motocy, still seems inappropriate for motocy to use them, i am puzzled.

[ChristopherWilliamsBKK]

Probably started out as a speed issue - but now kept on for other reasons (the bib cant stop and "toll" you if you're flying over their heads).

[richard_smith237]

Motorcycle riders in Thailand are generally fearless nutters...

I believe these rules exist so that as far as practically possible the Car's and Motorcycles are separated.

I don't ride a motorcyle but would hate to see all the Wave 125's etc weaving around in the outer-lanes and on express ways. That said, I believe that Motorbikes of 600cc or more would pose no more danger to others or themselves than the average motorist.

The rule appears tad illogical, or with local interpretation - its too hard for the average Thai policeman to distinguish between a 125cc, 250cc, 400c or 600+ cc bikes thus a blanket rule is applied taking less effort and thought to enforce.

[thaihome]

Motorcycles are not suppose to use most flyovers as the presence of a of motorcycles mixed in with passenger cars on the narrow roads that make up the flyovers are thought to cause a slowdown in the flow of cars using the flyovers. Though just a few motorcycles mixed in will not make any difference, when large numbers are mixed in, the numbers and flow of the cars is significantly decreased.

As others have said, it is also a great revenue generator for the Police…

TH

[bbradsby]

I ride, so am not prejudiced against bikes/bikers... and I see many of the typical step-thru's & 3-wheel rigs struggling to make it up the slope to the top of bridge. They are holding up traffic, already are road kill w/ police standing about, or are narrowly averting being nurfed off the bridge by cagers. I believe they do in fact need to be banned. It's unfortunately a pragmatic law, based on experience and the reality of the vast majority of bikes in Thailand.

[robblok]

I ride, so am not prejudiced against bikes/bikers... and I see many of the typical step-thru's & 3-wheel rigs struggling to make it up the slope to the top of bridge. They are holding up traffic, already are road kill w/ police standing about, or are narrowly averting being nurfed off the bridge by cagers. I believe they do in fact need to be banned. It's unfortunately a pragmatic law, based on experience and the reality of the vast majority of bikes in Thailand.

I ride too.. maybe not enough in my car to ever noticed those kind of bikes keeping up traffic. The majority of bikes are fast enough to go over flyovers. Some bikes are even fast enough for roads that are for only cars (not talking tollway).

Flyovers.. i just take the fuc_k the police. However those road designated for only cars i usually avoid even though it would save me time and id be faster then most 50% of the cars on there. I just worry about the police.. not even about the money to pay (maybe im too much brought up with respect for the police and consequences even though there are non and its just a financial transaction in thailand)

[01322521959]

I have been riding my motorbike in Bangkok for 3 years, and I agree with you I don't understand why it is not allowed, I asked my previous school principle and he could only give me the answer it is forbidden.

But really I can't see a reasonable explanation why, possible reasons are if a motorbike breaks down or is involved in an accident then help would be harder to provide, but this is Thailand and nobody really cares about some motorcyclist, I think it just comes down to making rules where rules are not required, and also many times I have gone over the bridge and guess what there is a policeman ready and waiting to collect a fine, well on many occasion I have just drove of, but I have had to stop on a couple of occasions.

But nowadays I am extra vigilant for police because corruption is rife and I refuse to pay anything, if I simply must stop, I will talk very quickly in English and he eventually understands I am not going to pay, and is missing out on many other Thai's that are more than willing to pay, corruption in Thailand will not stop until the Thai people stand up to it and say enough is enough, but this will not happen in my lifetime.

This must become the topic of the moment. I was talking to a Thai friend last Saturday and his way of looking at it was that motorbikes sit in the inside lane on the left of the lane and car drivers could easily have an accident... I just couldn't see this as a reason for us bikers not being able to use the flyovers. I do a lot of riding on Ratcharda Piseck road and if I don't go over the flyover I have to do a left turn at the lights and either U turn into traffic( not illegal at the particular point on Phryhonyoutin road) or continue up the road and make a safer U turn, It is crazy and only designed to increase tea money for the BIB. The other unbelievable law is is the left hand lane rule. Motorbikes must ALWAYS stay in the left hand lane. MAKES my blood boil. Though remember chaps it could always be worse. My brother in law failed his test in the UK last week.. he was doing 47kph instead of 48...

[floridaguy]

Why are so many foreigners quick to point fingers at the police? They are the enforcers of the laws. If you don't like the laws, you must look to those that make them, the elected politicians. Use your vote or your voice to make changes if you like. The police may hate certain laws as well. Do you think that they like to hear the foreigners yelling at them in a language not native to their home country, getting angry about them doing their jobs? I don't think I have ever defended the police on a public forum before, but I will here. It is the law, so the police are expected to enforce the laws, regardless of whether they agree with them or not.

That being said, I see the reason for the law banning motorbikes on flyovers, but it could use a change allowing bigger CC bikes on it. Can you imagine 100 motorbikes weaving in an out of traffic on a flyover, doing between 30 and 80 kph? Some flyovers are very long, such as Petchburi going towards Onnut, or Rama 9 between Ekamai and Phrom Pong. In my truck, I like to go fast on those flyovers, as much to make up the distance quickly as to let off some steam after being stuck in slower traffic below. I don't like slower motorbikes crowding into the lane. Sometimes I do take the shorter flyovers, but I usually go faster than the cars around me. I also tend to drive faster than cars on the main roads normally banning motorbikes, such as the Bang Na Trat road, underneath the motorway.

As for bribes/fines, I know that it is illegal, and will pay my fine if I am caught (after bargaining, of course), but I try not to get angry with police for doing their job.