BMA to tackle violation of five bike lanes in the capital

[Lite Beer]

BMA to tackle violation of five bike lanes in the capital

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will enforce law with violators of five bike lanes in the capital as a new year gift for Bangkok people, Mr Jumpol Sampaopol, deputy governor of Bangkok said.

He vowed to take legal action after leading a team of BMA ranking officials to inspect the city’s bicycle lanes around Rattanakosin Island to collect information for use in the improvement of those lanes.

The five bike lanes which the BMA will seek cooperation from Metropolitan police to enforce traffic law drastically are on Napralarn, Naprathat, Rachini, Phra-arthit, and Phrasumaine roads.

He said many vehicles such as tour buses and private cars always used the bike lanes to park, thus causing biking inconvenient.

The BMA received numerous complaints about these buses and also unsafe bicycle lanes due to unclear signposts and rough surface of the lanes which can cause accidents.

Mr Jumpol said the BMA aims to encourage the use of bicycle lanes by adding more lanes and make it easier for users to distinguish bicycle lanes from normal lanes.

The BMA has also instructed its offices such as the Traffic and Transportation Department, the Public Works Department and the Drainage and Sewerage Department, to improve manhole lids for smooth riding.

The adjustment of bicycle routes will also be implemented and is expected to be completed by the end of December 2014.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/bma-tackle-violation-five-bike-lanes-capital/

-- Thai PBS 2014-11-01

[robertthebruce]

Then I woke up......

[NongKhaiKid]

This obviously has a lower priority than usual as the vow is to ' tackle ', it doesn't even rate a crackdown !

[WhizBang]

The bicycle lane on Sukhumvit in the Phrom Phong area is on the sidewalk, so I suppose the crackdown will involve fining pedestrians. Of course, the morotcycles using it will not be bothered in any way.

[thesetat2013]

Happy New Year bicycle lane violaters. As Mr. Jumptol is giving you this gift. More likely he is givin this gift to the BIB who will be doing the stricter enforcement.

[ChrisY1]

Then I woke up......

Understand......it is alll a PR dream of the BMA to even consider cars and busses won't use these paths........

[pisico]

The bicycle lane on Sukhumvit in the Phrom Phong area is on the sidewalk, so I suppose the crackdown will involve fining pedestrians. Of course, the morotcycles using it will not be bothered in any way.

Nor while riding on all the sidewalks of Bangkok. The most egregious violators of the pedestrians' right of way are the Motocy-Taxis and... The Police !!!

[iReason]

" (BMA) will enforce law ... as a new year gift for Bangkok people"

A gift?

How generous of them...

[ezzra]

Bike lane? you'll do well to clear the footpath so pedestrians can safely walk rather than worry

about bike riders that I never see anyway, here in Bkk only poor people ride bikes....

[MaxYakov]

Bike lane? you'll do well to clear the footpath so pedestrians can safely walk rather than worry

about bike riders that I never see anyway, here in Bkk only poor people ride bikes....

That's right! Let's clear the footpaths so the cyclists can utilize them. At least there will be fewer motorbikes (moving and not) and parked cars on them (maybe).

As for your ignorant comment: "only poor people ride bikes", maybe you should hang around the several upscale bike stores in Bangkok or be less oblivious while traveling around Bangkok (providing you actually do much of that).

As to motorbikes, I believe they should be banned in urban areas as I understand they have in many urban areas in China. The E-bikes (electric bicycles) and H-bikes (human-powered bicycles) have replaced them. If that were done in Bangkok, then I'm sure the H and E bikes would be cluttering the dedicated bike lines. Unless a pass by a heavy roller or similar vehicle was performed every 15 mintues (heh, heh).

[ianf]

Bike lane? you'll do well to clear the footpath so pedestrians can safely walk rather than worry

about bike riders that I never see anyway, here in Bkk only poor people ride bikes....

More people would ride bikes and use the bike lanes in BKK if they were able to utilise them safely. The more people you can get on bikes, the fewer cars you'll see. It's a transport policy that needs to be driven (!) hard to succeed. It works in London where bike use has increased hugely, and it has worked well in many other cities. The BMA should study how bike lanes are used and how to increase bicycle use by researching other cities. To say that only poor people ride bikes is utter and complete nonsense, off course. Many people from all walks of life realise that cycling is a great way to commute around a city: what they need is for the city authorities to make it safe and the cycle ways accessible. Nothing more off putting than having to dodge cars and vendors and motorbikes in your cycle lane. But Ezzra does make one clear point: pathways should be cleared of vendors - I hate that in Thailand you have to dodge into traffic because vendors block the pathways: it's utterly ridiculous that that is allowed here in Thailand.

[mikiea]

this is thailand, where in the world do some of you think you are? ya whine like old people with gout :-)

[3NUMBAS]

if only dreams could come true ....sigh

[kaorop]

okay I've just got a garmin gps and cam set up

time to do some rides

and post them on U tub

whattdaya think the blocked by ....., count per km will be?

or

average speed and stops

should I them submit said video footage?

nice ideas really hope there is some improvement

[selftaopath]

So enforcing the law in Thailand is a GIFT to the people? What a mindset.

[Jonmarleesco]

Is the BMA located in another province ... or on a different planet?

They're getting their collective knickers in a twist over obstruction of bike lanes, yet continue to ignore pavement encroachment by motorcycles, both moving and parked, as well as pedestrian crossing encroachment by cars whose drivers couldn't identify the zebra stripes if they rose up and bit them on the arse.

Your new year's gift could be better prioritised, Jumpol.

[ParadiseLost]

Expect a fact-finding mission by 200+ BMA officials and entourage to various countries in the near future...

How about closing some roads to cars and motorbikes completely? Pedestrian malls with cycle lanes in the center, a sensible way to cut down on pollution, congestion, and beautify a dirty smelly city...

Silly me - that would contradict offering bribes to nationals buying new cars...

[scorecard]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

This obviously has a lower priority than usual as the vow is to ' tackle ', it doesn't even rate a crackdown !

And many would be shocked if you didn't post a negative comment.

[rametindallas]

Bike lane? you'll do well to clear the footpath so pedestrians can safely walk rather than worry

about bike riders that I never see anyway, here in Bkk only poor people ride bikes....

That's right! Let's clear the footpaths so the cyclists can utilize them. At least there will be fewer motorbikes (moving and not) and parked cars on them (maybe).

As for your ignorant comment: "only poor people ride bikes", maybe you should hang around the several upscale bike stores in Bangkok or be less oblivious while traveling around Bangkok (providing you actually do much of that).

As to motorbikes, I believe they should be banned in urban areas as I understand they have in many urban areas in China. The E-bikes (electric bicycles) and H-bikes (human-powered bicycles) have replaced them. If that were done in Bangkok, then I'm sure the H and E bikes would be cluttering the dedicated bike lines. Unless a pass by a heavy roller or similar vehicle was performed every 15 mintues (heh, heh).

What is the benefit of banning motorcycles when you would, presumably, still allow private cars? Motorcycles take up no more space than a bicycle and far less space than a personal automobile. Not everyone is fit/able enough to travel long distances by bicycle. See the photo below for a relative comparison of how much street space is taken by cars, buses, motorcycles. Ban motorcycles and you will have gridlock in the city.

[3NUMBAS]

theyre too ill-disciplined to stop parking in bike lanes for more than 2 seconds ,its beyond their ken

[Thaddeus]

So enforcing the law in Thailand is a GIFT to the people? What a mindset.

It's the only one they have.

[fforest1]

Thailand is just to hot for bicycles..If you want to ride a bike move to Amsterdam..

[chooka]

Seek Co operation from the police?? There shouldn't be any need for that as it is thier bloody job and they shouldn't have to asked.