Motorcycles will be banned from using the two Bhumibol bridges from Thursday due to safety concerns.

The ban will take effect today, following its publication in the Royal Gazette on Wednesday.

Pol Maj Gen Thammanoon Traithippayapong, the Samut Prakan police chief, decided to prohibit bikers from using the Bhumibol 1 and 2 bridges because of their steep inclines and the frequency of strong winds, which put motorcycle riders at risk, the Gazette said.

The bridges connect Phra Pradeang district of Samut Prakan province to Yannawa district of Bangkok, and are under the jurisdiction of Samut Prakan police.

Authorities have long debated whether motorcycles should be allowed to use the bridges to cross the Chao Phraya River. The Metropolitan Police Bureau wanted to give bikers access, but the Transport Ministry argued it was too dangerous. 

Representatives of motorcycle riders demanded the creation of a bike lane for their use, as the bridges are the fastest way to drive from Phra Pradaeng to Bangkok.

In 2016, a woman riding pillion on a motorcycle was killed when the driver lost control on the bridge, and she was run over by a vehicle.