Phuket Opinion: A bumpy lane ahead

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Opinion: A bumpy lane ahead
The Phuket News

Cyclists take part in a protest earlier this year to highlight that drink-driving equates to murder. Photo: Thiti Wannamontha

PHUKET: Earlier this week the government announced plans to request B60 million to develop bike lanes in three different locations in Phuket.

The announcement follows Thailand breaking a new mass cycling Guinness world record last Sunday

The push for more cycling and bicycle lanes is a good initiative to promote a cleaner environment and healthy lifestyle. But it does beg the question about how prepared Phuket and the rest of the Kingdom will be to accommodate such an ubiquitous cycling culture.

It’s no secret, Thailand is renowned for its dangerous roads (drivers) having consistently been ranked in the world’s top five for countries with the highest number of road fatalities per capita.

There are a number of problems that contribute to road accidents, be it poor roads, traffic engineering, reckless driving, or lack of accountability or traffic law enforcement.

And cyclists are arguably the most vulnerable of commuters on the roads, as many headlines remind us.

Back in April, a woman cycling on a road north of Phuket and was killed by a pickup truck overtaking illegally.

In February, a Chilean cross-continental cyclist who planned to complete a world record this year was killed when he was hit by a pickup truck in Northeastern Thailand.

And, still sour in memory from two years ago were the two world-famous British cyclists killed on the road by a pick-up truck, east of Bangkok. The list goes on.

In May this year a cyclist was killed after a car rammed into a group of bikers in Bangkok. The fatal accident was the second in 40 hours, as a few days earlier in Chiang Mai, a drunk, 23-year-old student rammed her car into a group of cyclists, killing three and injuring two.

But these are just a few fatal examples of the many accidents that happen daily on Thailand’s roads. Each case underlines just how many challenges we face on a bumpy road ahead.

Creating more bike lanes is a positive initiative, but it certainly won’t be enough – for how can cyclists be assured that they will not just become the next “tragic” headline? The short answer is, they can’t be… not yet, anyway.

We also need to push for more traffic-violation enforcement, driver’s education, and above all, accountability.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-opinion-a-bumpy-lane-ahead-53762.php

-- Phuket News 2015-08-23

[clockman]

The two key words, are enforcing and accountability! Which i have never seen practised in Thailand?

[Kannikapor88]

We also need to push for more traffic-violation enforcement, driver’s education, and above all, accountability.

Why is it not some of these useless politicians saying this ... ? I dont think I have heard the PM on his interruption Friday evening ever talk about all the road killings - killings that destroy families, making children orphants and other horrible consequences ... Why are thais so ignorant or oblivious about this major problem ... ?

[ToddinChonburi]

That darn drink driving again.

[inaktive]

Bike Lanes in Thailand are in real just extra parking spots for the Pickups ... and noone cares because too many Thais think riding a Bike means you not have enough money for a scooter or car so you really dont matter.

[canda]

The Headline 'A bumpy lane ahead' really says it all, perhaps the government who is requesting the 60 billion baht allocation for the bike lanes might first consider the sad condition of many of the minor roads on Phuket.

I have owned a property on the Banya / Baandon Road, Srisoonthorn Sub District for several years now, originally a dirt road, it was in a far better condition before the powers that be, the Rural Roads Dept. threw some bitumen down and now years later this road is almost impossible to transverse.

Letters to the editor of the local papers & complaints have gone unheeded, even though roads have been rebuilt or resurfaced nearby.

Presumably this road will need to have a few casualties like the recent injuries & consequent death of a young child to actually wake someone's conscience into actually doing something.

Like many things here, it seems that the "cart is put before the horse" but it certainly makes good press !

CANDA

[callaway]

Great idea to make bicycle lanes. It will make another lane for the motor bikes. At least you will not be run over by a pick up. Cannot guarantee you will not be knocked for six by a motor bikr though.

Edited August 23, 2015 by callaway

[NamKangMan]

The Headline 'A bumpy lane ahead' really says it all, perhaps the government who is requesting the 60 billion baht allocation for the bike lanes might first consider the sad condition of many of the minor roads on Phuket.

I have owned a property on the Banya / Baandon Road, Srisoonthorn Sub District for several years now, originally a dirt road, it was in a far better condition before the powers that be, the Rural Roads Dept. threw some bitumen down and now years later this road is almost impossible to transverse.

Letters to the editor of the local papers & complaints have gone unheeded, even though roads have been rebuilt or resurfaced nearby.

Presumably this road will need to have a few casualties like the recent injuries & consequent death of a young child to actually wake someone's conscience into actually doing something.

Like many things here, it seems that the "cart is put before the horse" but it certainly makes good press !

CANDA

"Like many things here, it seems that the "cart is put before the horse" - don't you mean, "the baht is put before the horse?"

[useronthenet]

Thailand is by far decades away from embracing such values which we in Europe take for granted. Laws with regards to cyclists are in most cases respected when it comes to keeping them safe on the roads and highways. I wouldn't cycle in Thailand even if you paid me, far too dangerous.