Months after cyclists were left anxiously wondering if they would be banned from the BTS train system, cyclists who use non-folding bicycles now know their fate: a partial ban will be implemented.
Under the new regulation, which has been widely circulated on social media by the cycling community, those with bigger, non-folding, bicycles will face a series of restrictions. These cyclists can only use the system early in the day from 6am to 6.30am on weekdays and from 6am to 9am on weekends and public holidays. These cyclists will be allowed on the BTS every night after 10pm. The restrictions will take effect on Aug 1.
Cyclists with folding bicycles will be able to take advantage of the BTS at any time.
Early this year there was a lot of speculation that all non-folding bicycles would be entirely banned from the BTS. As the scope of the regulations has been cleared up, I can say I welcome the decision by the train operator.
Ploenpote Atthakor is editorial pages editor, angkok Post.
One has to appreciate that, at least in this case, BTS management eventually decided to heed the advice of the community, the cycling community, abandoning the idea of a total ban. Instead, the BTS arrived at a compromise.
While the decision still falls short of what we had anticipated, it is a good start.
While in this case I admire the train operator, it does not necessarily mean I agree with the measures it announced. In fact, I think they are impractical.
Restrictions, in my opinion, would benefit all if applied only during rush-hours when cyclists can be a nuisance to other passengers. It's fully understandable if all bikes, including folding ones, are banned during rush-hours when all carriages are jam-packed with commuters.
When I travel with my folding bike on the train, I always avoid those hours for fear of inconveniencing other train passengers.
After rush-hours, regulations should be more flexible for all kinds of bikes.
It should be noted that the night-time ban is too harsh for cyclists as 10pm is a bit too late when we know most trains are quite okay from 8.30pm on.
I would like to note that poor management can also be a source of inconvenience. I am referring to the sidelined suggestion from the cycling community that the train operator provide a standing-only carriage that prioritises two-wheelers, but also welcomes other passengers who agree to share the space.
This suggestion merits serious consideration and I hope the operator will carefully study feedback and adjust regulations to be more realistic and useful. My plea also applies to the MRT.
Reviewing the measure is necessary given the fact that cycling has gained importance, with more and more people turning to it as an alternative mode of transport in a city with notorious traffic and a poor bus system.
Don't forget that this environmentally-friendly mode of transport also promotes the use of public transport, as advertised by both the Skytrain and underground system. The electric train system provides a link that enables people to reach their workplace on the other side of the city with their bicycles.
Not to mention that cycling is a flagship policy of this city's administration which introduced cycling infrastructure, even though implementation leaves a lot to be desired. A major pitfall is the way it treats cycling as a hobby or tourist activity, not as a mode of transport. The city's poor implementation gives a bad image to cyclists as many residents seem to think cycling belongs in enclosed areas like public parks.
It's time for the city to correct that perception. For this reason, I think the city should mediate between the train operators and cyclists to reach a better resolution.
While the new regulations indicate that the BTS has recognised the importance of this mode of transportation, I think it's time for the BTS to change its policy banning cyclists from using lifts, which are already scarce. A security guard once told me he was instructed by his supervisors to only open lifts to people in wheelchairs (he refused to exercise judgement regarding people in need). This is not right.
I make this call not just for the benefit or privilege of cyclists, but for the safety of other passengers. Imagine if a cyclist accidentally let go of his or her bike when climbing up or down the steep stairs. There would surely be casualties and we don't want that to happen.
It's still a long way before this society embraces cycling as a way of life, making it a safe and practical mode of transportation. But we need a good start and the BTS operator may play a key role.