Bangkok: Warning signs on risky roads to pave way for city cyclists

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BICYCLE
Warning signs on risky roads to pave way for city cyclists
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- TO BOOST cyclists' safety on public roads in Bagnkok, the Bangkok Metropolitan Adminstration, will install warning signs in |accident-risk areas and widen bicycle lanes.

To make riding safer, the Traffic Engineering Office will demarcate new, larger bicycle lanes on 10 roads starting with Borommarat Chachonnani Road as the lead project," Suthon Anakul, director of the office under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, said |yesterday.

All 50 district offices were also instructed to take care of cyclists' safety in their areas.

The signs will alert bikers to danger zones ahead and also remind cars that the road is shared by two-wheel vehicles.

"The bicycle lanes will be on the left side of the road. After the lanes are in use, the 'share the bikes' measure will be enforced to control the speed on bicycle lanes to 30 kilometres per hour," he said.

The nine other roads getting the treatment are Lat Phrao, Phaholyothin, Cheumsamphan, Nawamin, Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, Charoen Rat, Rajdamri, On Nut and Charoen Nakhon.

"About the suggestion to build separate bicycle lanes, the office decided that it will be added on the pavement on the 10 newly built roads such as Bhuddha Monthon Second Road," he said.

"All the decisions about cyclists' safety will be presented to the Bangkok Metropolitan Council next Monday," he added.

The Korat Bicycle Club in Nakhon Ratchasima suggested zoning of roads in the province to protect cyclists.

Ruangrat Thapanakul, head of the Suea Hua Le Bicycle Club, said the recent accidents to fellow cyclists had saddened all the bicycle clubs in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The legal measures to tackle this problem were like addressing the symptoms, not the root cause. Roads should be zoned on frequently used bicycle routes to warn motorists to drive carefully on these routes.

Kanchana Lueangubon, president of the Khonkaen Bicycle Network, said at a rally to promote road-sharing at the Khon Kaen City Pillar that all road users should share the road together, respect fellow travellers and follow traffic rules.

"Cyclists also should obey traffic rules strictly, ride carefully and wear protective gear all the time," he said.

Saran Intanon, who rammed a cyclist convoy with his car in Bangkok last Monday, has ordained as a Buddhist monk to make merit for his dead victim. He attended the victim's funeral at Soithong Temple yesterday.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Warning-signs-on-risky-roads-to-pave-way-for-city--30259778.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-11

[NongKhaiKid]

Every road is risky and no one pays any attention to traffic signs as it is so new ones will make no difference,

Cylists may welcome wider lanes but so will every other road user and in some places the vendors.

[chooka]

Signs aren't going to change thai driving Habits. Laws and policing don't do anything, so what is a sign going to do?

[Thaddeus]

Signs aren't going to change thai driving Habits. Laws and policing don't do anything, so what is a sign going to do?

Look good, and get in the news.

Thainess.

[nabbie]

Any missions to solve the traffic problems are something we are waiting for - no matter how it can be successful. This will definitely support the long-term evolution to change the driving habits/attitudes.

[johnburger]

Just do It now and not in 3 years

Edited May 11, 2015 by johnburger

[quandow]

You sprinkle this kind of article on your lawn and it will grow better.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

What will these signs say? "Warning Thai drivers don't care if they run you over while you are riding or walking as there is no enforcement or accountability"???

[razer]

Seriously,every day in BKK I see drivers racing along city streets to the next red light, ignoring traffic signals, ignoring U-Turn signs, ignoring people trying to walk across zebra crossings .. unless a police officer is visible. I don't think roadside signs will have any impact at all. It will not solve the problem of disrespectful drivers. But it will look good.

[Cuchulainn]

Yep. Another world-beater.

[elgordo38]

Signs aren't going to change thai driving Habits. Laws and policing don't do anything, so what is a sign going to do?

It will say "Ride Here At Your Own Risk" or "Watch Out For Reckless Drivers"

[wabothai]

They just don't get it.

Thai traffic don't give a hoot about signs, "widening bicycle lanes" , laws or regulations.

They just do as they see fit for themselves.

Waste of enrgies and money.

[mrfill]

Signs aren't going to change thai driving Habits. Laws and policing don't do anything, so what is a sign going to do?

Get knocked down by a careless driver?