Police to seek ways to boost safety for cyclists on roads

[Lite Beer]

Police to seek ways to boost safety for cyclists on roads
Jessada Jantarak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- POLICE will work closely with cycling clubs in a bid to boost safety for their members, following the death of four cyclists recently on Thai roads.

National police Assistant Commissioner Lt-General Prawut Thavornsiri expects to see progress by May 18.

In response to his order on Thursday, police units will hold meetings with clubs in their areas to gather opinions. There will be discussions that include cycling routes and safer cycling.

Police plan to ask cyclists to wear proper gear and install proper equipment on their bikes, such as reflective materials and lighting. Police will also coordinate with relevant authorities to improve bicycle lanes.

According to the order, officials must be assigned to provide safety knowledge to cyclists.

Another injured

Meanwhile a 75-year-old cyclist was injured by a speeding pick-up truck, which slammed into his bike even though he was riding on a path alongside the motorway frontage road in Saphan Sung district yesterday morning.

Sutthiphan Chanthanakul was rushed to the Vibhraram Hospital with minor injuries and pick-up driver Nawapol Kaewsawat, 26, was taken to Prawet Police Station for questioning.

He allegedly tried to overtake another vehicle by using the roadside path and crashed into the bike.

In Chiang Mai province, flowers from HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn were delivered to Suraphon Tasing and Pongsak Phonsing, both acting sub lieutenants, who were injured in a road accident on May 3, which also killed three and injured many others.

The flowers were delivered by Chiang Mai Governor Suriya Prasatbuntitya.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Police-to-seek-ways-to-boost-safety-for-cyclists-o-30259655.html

-- The Nation 2015-05-09

[Snig27]

It's not hard - it's not hard - it's not hard. Enforce the laws.

An example: pedestrian/zebra crossings. In much of the known universe it's compulsory to stop for pedestrians on these. Guess what? It is in Thailand too. When was the last time someone did that for you? When was the last time you saw a cop ticketing a driver for not doing so? Near our place is a hospital with a crossing controlled by a traffic light. Does anyone stop for the red light? No .. and there is a police station 100m away.

[Strangebrew]

I take a risk walking down a sidewalk why compound that by driving or riding any two wheel vehicle?

[Emster23]

Like Snig said, enforce traffic laws. Specifically, enforce MOVING violations. I can't recall ever seeing cop stopping a driver for the seemingly limitless ways laws are not observed.

regarding crosswalks with lights: one put in my condo that had run maybe 2 days in 3 months since installed is now functioning. People seem to be stopping IF they see someone crossing... brilliant design put U turn lane in such a place as to make impossible for that lane to see signals for crosswalk. Perhaps a motorcycle lane should be marked out on sidewalks also.

[gandalf12]

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It's not hard - it's not hard - it's not hard. Enforce the laws.

An example: pedestrian/zebra crossings. In much of the known universe it's compulsory to stop for pedestrians on these. Guess what? It is in Thailand too. When was the last time someone did that for you? When was the last time you saw a cop ticketing a driver for not doing so? Near our place is a hospital with a crossing controlled by a traffic light. Does anyone stop for the red light? No .. and there is a police station 100m away.

Maybe I am lucky but where I live in Bangkok most, not all, of the time drivers stop at the pedestrian crossing to allow you to cross. Happened yesterday to me

[NongKhaiKid]

I don't know what happens now but when I used to walk around Nong Prajak Park in Udon Thani the cycling club would gather every Sunday morning and generally take over as we mere walkers were lesser beings then they would get a police escort usually out to the Nong Khai Highway.

They enjoyed it and took over the road behind the police vehicle which then left them at the city boundary where they then spread out over the cycle, motor cycle and nearside lanes so they could ride a decent number abreast in order to talk.

H'Way 2 is a fast high density road and I have no idea how they spread out as the morning traffic increased and they got out into the countryside.

I read they are to be talks by ' safety officers ' for all the good it will do as no one listens here. I'm presuming that away from cycling all were / are motorcyclists or vehicle drivers and should already know, and be ignoring, the rules of the road.

Rules mean those things which are for others to obey.

[AoChalong]

How about getting the bicycles off the city streets and limit them to designated bike tracks in the parks or streets and roads outside the city? These are exercise devices not transportation vehicles, and imo have no business on the downtown streets with motorized vehicles.

[quandow]

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How about getting the bicycles off the city streets and limit them to designated bike tracks in the parks or streets and roads outside the city? These are exercise devices not transportation vehicles, and imo have no business on the downtown streets with motorized vehicles.

Wrong! You posted this response in another similar article, you seem to have a prejudice towards bicyclists. CIVILIZED countries obey the rule of law and enforce these regulations. The result is smooth flowing traffic abundant in considerate operators of both motorized and self propelled vehicles.

[Thian]

There are loads of Thai with racing bicycles in BKK. Why not let them onto the tollway as long as they stay far left? That way they can bike fast over long distances which is what they like i guess.

[gandalf12]

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

How about getting the bicycles off the city streets and limit them to designated bike tracks in the parks or streets and roads outside the city? These are exercise devices not transportation vehicles, and imo have no business on the downtown streets with motorized vehicles.

Try telling the people in Holland they are not transport devices.

Edited May 9, 2015 by gandalf12

[seajae]

all that needs doing is to enforce the laws, when the drivers dont give a sh*t about any other road users or simply drive erratically or while they are drunk what do they expect. The police need to actually do what they are paid form get out on the roads and start pulling over any offenders

[Longstaff]

Following the required attitudinal adjustments, a driving test worthy of the name would be a good place to start. Currently the only thing adequately examined is the ability to reverse into a parking space...and nowhere else in the world have I seen such a high percentage of cars reverse into parking spaces. Clearly Thais take the test seriously and practice this skill and then follow it throughout their motoring lives. Suggests to me that testing some other skills, like how to make forward progress down the road without endangering yourself and everyone else, would be equally successful.

[elgordo38]

How about getting the bicycles off the city streets and limit them to designated bike tracks in the parks or streets and roads outside the city? These are exercise devices not transportation vehicles, and imo have no business on the downtown streets with motorized vehicles.

Are you Mork from Dork? I have a bicycle and it is a transportation device most assuredly the exercise part is an added bonus . Travel outside the city for exercise wow how ridiculous. What am I supposed to do rent a red truck at outrageous prices to drive me and my bike outside the city and back again so I can ride my bike. Your grey matter is stuck in neutral. Designated bike tracks is a pipe dream there is no money available now or ever. This is only in the news because of the rash of car/bike collisions. Like everything else it will die off over time till the next crisis.

Edited May 9, 2015 by elgordo38

[elgordo38]

all that needs doing is to enforce the laws, when the drivers dont give a sh*t about any other road users or simply drive erratically or while they are drunk what do they expect. The police need to actually do what they are paid form get out on the roads and start pulling over any offenders

The only place I see cops is at helmet checkpoints and well we all know the reason for that. They used to have corner kiosks for the cops but most are gone or abandoned. My zebra crosswalk at KSK is so faded you can hardly see the white paint. This crosswalk should have a push for green button/light there is so much traffic crossing there. I read recently of all the promotions to general I guess the grunts in the system are moving up causing a vacuum at the bottom.

[Johnny S]

Amazing if the top-dogs dont know that its the Police Force that is the problem ... Police that dont do their job is a cancer to society and they are actually worse than "real" criminals !

[toooa]

How about getting the bicycles off the city streets and limit them to designated bike tracks in the parks or streets and roads outside the city? These are exercise devices not transportation vehicles, and imo have no business on the downtown streets with motorized vehicles.

Oh, I see, it's the bicycle rider's fault? Let's regulate everything and keep everyone tucked up in cotton wool, nice and safe. I'd be curious to know on what basis bikes "have no business on downtown streets"... take us through your logic...please tell us more....

Edited May 9, 2015 by toooa

[Jonmarleesco]

Perhaps they could see their way to boosting safety for pedestrians ... particularly on the pavements (sidewalks).

[cardinalblue]

AoC,

A cyclist has the same right to use a road as a car. If you add a little visionary thinking, much more....

As to the article, bringing the driver in for questioning,,,what about arresting him for criminal negligence/reckless driving? The guy was passing using the pedestrian, emergency parking lane to pass? It is not a driving lane let alone to use at high speed for passing....Some people are dumbass stupid and hope he becomes a victim of Darwinisn w/o more hurt to others....

CB

[Balance]

This has got to be a real sick joke. The police want the cyclists to wear "proper equipment," and this is suppose to protect them from a car. Here is some farang advise, and it is free and will save a lot of time.

1. The police need to be on the roads, not in the office. In their cars and motorbikes, patrolling the roads where accidents most happen.

2. Drunk drivers need to be removed from the roads. If they are caught twice, they should not drive, ever, and if they do, put in jail for a few months.

3. If anyone injuries or kills a cyclist, they need to be charged with the death of the person and put on trial and go to prison. Why is killing people any different that someone selling drugs? Taking drugs will kill people also and drug dealers rot in prison. I understand that the drunk student who just killed four cyclists in Chiang Mai was FINED and let go.

The PM recently announced strict new rules; what happened to them? Just more talking and lying about what will be done.

4. Signs should be required in bars and restaurants that state the penalties for drunk driving. In America, if friends go out to have a party they choose one or more people called "designated drivers" and these people do NOT drink and drive everyone else.

I bought a bicycle when I was new in Thailand, but after watching what drivers do here, I sold it.

I was on my motorbike on Manee Nopparat Road and saw up ahead a group of about 50-60 people on the left with signs marching along the left side. As I got closer I could see the signs in Thai and English, most saying "Stop drink driving." These were Thai kids from the University and I thought to myself, perhaps there is some hope.

[Loptr]

The government reaction to the recent cycling tragedies is so typical... First there is outrage, followed by a crackdown which will last a few days to weeks... Then everything goes back to the way it was... Thailand, the hub of hypocrisy...