How to make our roads safe for cyclists

The first accident occurred in Chiang Mai early on Sunday. A university student crashed her car into a group of some 20 cyclists out for a ride, killing three and leaving two seriously injured. The motorist, who is in her early 20s, is suspected of having dozed off at the wheel.

The second accident took place in Bangkok on Monday night and left one cyclist dead and two injured. The 23-year-old driver reportedly claimed to have been quarrelling with his girlfriend when he lost control of the car and crashed into the riders.

The third accident occurred in Ayutthaya on Monday evening when a truck hit a traffic signpost, which then fell onto a passing cyclist. The man was admitted to hospital with serious head injuries and died a few hours later.

Official records for road accidents involving bicycles are not kept in Thailand. As such, many likely go unreported, making it difficult to accurately gauge the level of danger faced by cyclists here. 

However, several deadly accidents have been widely reported. In the past two years three foreign cyclists on round-the-world trips have met their end on Thai roads, despite years of experience biking in different countries. In February last year British couple Peter Root and Mary Thompson died after they were hit by a pickup truck in Chachoengsao. A year later another round-the-world quest ended in tragedy when Chilean cyclist Juan Francisco Guillermo was killed in Nakhon Ratchasima, again by a pickup truck.

Cycling is a growing trend among health-conscious Thais. Clubs that have sprouted up now boast more than a million members in total, according to some estimates. Lines of riders threading through the traffic at night or in the early morning have become a familiar sight in our big cities. But, while darkness offers cooler temperatures that are more conducive to a physical activity like cycling, it also brings added danger that may be a factor in the number of accidents involving cyclists. Drivers – especially if they are speeding or drunk – are less likely to have a clear view of cyclists at night and in the murky hours around dawn. And in the event of a collision, it is always the rider who comes off worse. 

While stricter enforcement of the traffic laws is certainly needed to reduce the danger for those on two wheels, cyclists must also do all they can to protect themselves from harm. High-visibility garb, a helmet and a healthy respect for traffic rules are vital shields for anyone venturing onto the roads on a bike. 

Just as important is the infrastructure designed to get cyclists safely from Point A to Point B. A shortage of bicycle lanes means that cyclists are often forced to mix in with cars, pickup trucks and heavy lorries in fast-moving traffic. 

Shortly after assuming office Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced a policy to establish more bike lanes throughout the country. Now would be a good time to review what progress has been made on this initiative.

With three deadly accidents in the space of a few days, it is time for road users and the authorities pay heed to the dangers facing cyclists and begin forging concrete action to prevent tragedies like these from happening again.