Staying safe on the road

[GarryP]

Sorry for deaths and injuries, but bicycles have no biz being on busy Thai roads and streets used by cars/trucks. I find the only more selfish people on the road are motorcyclists, but bicyclists come in very near tops. Hey, selfish....... roads are made for cars! Get off, get out. Both kinds of bikes should be banned in congested areas.

Motorbikes should be legal only with a side car in BKK.... that puts the hogs in line with everyone else... no more cutting to the front and no more taking off car doors open at the curb. Put passengers in the side car and stop two to four on one bike. Easy help toward the ultimate solution.

The "only more selfish people on the road are" those who believe the road is for them and them alone.

The vast majority of bicycle accidents in Thailand are not a result of any reckless or misuse of the roads by the cyclists, but rather misuse by those in control of motorized transport. I find that in general cyclists tend to be much more road aware than other road users. Basically, you are saying, "Why should I have to be careful about cyclists when I am behind the wheel?" Well the simple answer is, you should not only be careful about cyclists but all other traffic. That is the problem in Thailand. Many drivers and motorcyclists have never learned to drive or ride properly, in a safe manner, or have developed road awareness so half the time when they are driving dangerously, they do not even know they are doing anything wrong. That is their fault not the fault of the cyclist who keeps in lane.

I think the poster is a troll.....while on the beginning it might be an opinion, when it goes to only allow motorbikes with side car it gets obvious trollish

Thought so too but could not help myself.

[chiangmaiexpat]

Sorry for deaths and injuries, but bicycles have no biz being on busy Thai roads and streets used by cars/trucks. I find the only more selfish people on the road are motorcyclists, but bicyclists come in very near tops. Hey, selfish....... roads are made for cars! Get off, get out. Both kinds of bikes should be banned in congested areas.

Motorbikes should be legal only with a side car in BKK.... that puts the hogs in line with everyone else... no more cutting to the front and no more taking off car doors open at the curb. Put passengers in the side car and stop two to four on one bike. Easy help toward the ultimate solution.

This KhnomKhnom chap is either trolling or truly nuts. Either way he has no business in a cycling forum.

Having said this, the suggestion to stay off the road in Thailand does not sound unreasonable to me. I stay off the road wherever I can and I always choose Sois and backroads over main roads otherwise. The reason is that many roads are not very pleasant to ride here. They are invariably hot and dusty. And you have to share them with uncounted idiots in motorised tin boxes with a poor understanding of road safety and limited driving skills.

That should make offroad/trail riding more attractive, yet surprisingly many mountain bikers in Thailand hardly ever leave the road. So, for all you roadies out there, here is a motivational clip:

Cheers, CM-Expat

[T_Dog]

I agree there CM-Expat. Plus... roads stink with poorly running trucks belching out their exhaust. Road biking is fine and dandy, and I did a lot of it in the past. As I got older, my body could not handle the stiffness and one-position stance of road bikes, so mountain bikes are it for me.

[h90]

Sorry for deaths and injuries, but bicycles have no biz being on busy Thai roads and streets used by cars/trucks. I find the only more selfish people on the road are motorcyclists, but bicyclists come in very near tops. Hey, selfish....... roads are made for cars! Get off, get out. Both kinds of bikes should be banned in congested areas.

Motorbikes should be legal only with a side car in BKK.... that puts the hogs in line with everyone else... no more cutting to the front and no more taking off car doors open at the curb. Put passengers in the side car and stop two to four on one bike. Easy help toward the ultimate solution.

This KhnomKhnom chap is either trolling or truly nuts. Either way he has no business in a cycling forum.

Having said this, the suggestion to stay off the road in Thailand does not sound unreasonable to me. I stay off the road wherever I can and I always choose Sois and backroads over main roads otherwise. The reason is that many roads are not very pleasant to ride here. They are invariably hot and dusty. And you have to share them with uncounted idiots in motorised tin boxes with a poor understanding of road safety and limited driving skills.

That should make offroad/trail riding more attractive, yet surprisingly many mountain bikers in Thailand hardly ever leave the road. So, for all you roadies out there, here is a motivational clip:

Cheers, CM-Expat

Here in the south all but the most important roads are in good condition and no crazies.

I saw on one main road "bumpers" on the left side on the white line....I guess they should wake you up if you fall asleep with the car, but they look like absolute killers for a street bike.