Cycling safety gets a good run on social media after accidents

Some cyclists and cycling supporters called for people to have the right to ride bicycles safely on the road. Others pointed to road safety as a whole. Many shared safety tips and advice on traffic rules for cyclists.

In response to a drunk driver crashing into a convoy of cyclists in Chiang Mai on Sunday morning and killing three riders, Phil Prajya Aura-ek shared the news of a Florida woman who this week received a 24-year jail term for killing two people in a head-on crash while drunk. Before the accident she posted this remark on Twitter: “2 Drunk 2 Care.” 

Prajya also shared an anti-drunk-driving campaign picture with the slogan “Drunk Driving = Killer”.

Loongtoom Komson shared a link to a Fox News report about a woman facing life in prison for causing a crash that killed two people after she stopped her car to help ducks.

Thana Nakboonnam shared a picture of a car slamming into the group of cyclists. Many cyclists in the picture were in the air.

A man lost his job after he remarked that cyclists do not deserve to have space on the road, and that if he had first-class insurance he would run over them. He later apologised on Facebook.

Prapas Moo called on people to embrace the fact that many people commute on bicycles as part of their daily life. He wrote: “Don’t chase cyclists to ride only in the park. The word cyclist does not mean only the people who ride expensive bicycles to show off. That’s only a small group and that’s their wealth. 

“Many cyclists are good. They want to change their lives, want to be healthy, want to socialise [with fellow cyclists]. Start with yourself. If you drink, don’t drive. Follow the traffic laws and share the public roads, please.”

Wilairat Aimaiem wrote: “1. I don’t ride a bicycle on main roads. I think it’s dangerous, hot and inconvenient. Asked if I want to call on anything to make riding more convenient, no, as I don’t use a bicycle as main way of commute. If someone wants to, I understand. I just accept that a bicycle is not my type.

“2. I prefer to drive. I love to listen to music and news or just enjoy the silence in the car. I prefer a car.

“3. I take traffic rules seriously. I don’t do what’s prohibited. I don’t want to take a risk by posing danger to me or anyone. When I follow all the rules and do nothing wrong, I don’t have to run, to find an excuse or to fear if there’s any accident.”

Wilairat and many social-media users wanted harsh penalties for serious traffic offences and for police to do their job properly. They must not take bribes. 

Sinchai Phamornphol shared a picture of the latest incident of a Thai cyclist being hit by a car while riding on the shoulder of the road. He wrote: “Police only talk about drunk drivers. I think drivers can be dangerous even if they are not drunk as long as bad attitudes exist. 

“The shoulder of the road is not for driving. How many victims were hit on the shoulders of the roads?”

Krittybo Wong wrote: “Seriously, if someone I know gets drunk and drives, I’ll never be in the car with him and will stay away from him. Any driver who does not swear and who stops to let pedestrians cross the road, I will especially love that person. Driving behaviour reflects everything [about that person].” 

On Twitter, @Bangkok_2474 wrote: “In Europe, the cars with high power like Porsche and slow bicycles can share the roads. That’s because of their discipline and conscience.” 

@BBirdy4U said: “It’s very dangerous on the roads in Thailand. Some roads have heavy traffic and the drivers go at high speed. I am a careful driver. When I meet cyclists on the road, I think it’s dangerous for everybody, though.”