BANGKOK, THAILAND – City officials in Bangkok installed steel barriers on sidewalks to keep reckless motorbike riders away from pedestrians, triggering a heated debate over costs and enforcement.
Steel versus reckless riders
In many streets of Bangkok, motorbike riders had used sidewalks as shortcuts, creating frequent chaos. The city administration therefore installed massive S-shaped steel railings at several intersections. These barriers in the Klong Toey district were intended to shield pedestrians from the roaring machines.
The risk had been particularly high at the Rama IV–Sukhumvit intersection. Because U-turn routes on the road were considered too long, many riders simply sped across the sidewalk. The new barriers now blocked access for the heavier vehicles.
Fear of an invisible death
Many pedestrians reported constant fear while moving through the Thai capital. People wearing headphones often noticed approaching mopeds only when it was almost too late. A young woman said she felt safe again only after the new railings were installed.
The steel structures were designed so that wheelchair users and tourists with luggage could still pass through. Cyclists could also navigate the obstacles, while motorbikes were kept out. For many residents, this meant an end to the dangerous engine noise right outside their front doors.
Costly solution fuels anger
Not all citizens welcomed the new metal posts that now dotted the urban landscape. Critics complained online about what they saw as a waste of taxpayers’ money on something they believed should be self-evident. They demanded that the police crack down more firmly instead of relying on expensive barriers.
Many people viewed the railings as obstacles for elderly residents and as an eyesore for the city. Social media users argued that, if everyone followed the rules, there would be no need for barriers. They called for cameras and hefty fines instead of steel pipes.
Thousands of offenders already fined
Authorities stressed, however, that they were not relying solely on physical barriers. In the past year alone, more than 2,000 motorbike riders were caught and fined. The total amount of penalties already exceeded 100,000 baht.
Despite ongoing checks, the city administration regarded the railings as a necessary evil at additional locations. Barriers had already been expanded at four major intersections to ensure pedestrian safety. Officials indicated that the pursuit of sidewalk speeders would continue with both technology and steel.