Time for some road justice, if only for a day

Tomorrow is World Car-Free Day. But the annual event will pass by without any state activities. By skipping the event, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) does not seem to realise the importance of the day which could be an opportunity to encourage commuters to give up their private cars — at least for that day.

If that worked, it would at least make them see how public transportation could be a reasonable option.

Unlike in previous years, when the event was celebrated in colourful ways, tomorrow’s car-free day will be observed by a small group of devoted cyclists in Bangkok who accepted the challenge by the Punmuang Cyclelized City group on Facebook to share how they will travel on the World Car-Free Day in Bangkok without having to depend on cars. But it is clear City Hall doesn’t want to encourage people to give up their cars.

A few weeks ago, a netizen shared a photo of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus stuck in its supposedly exclusive lane one morning after a car broke down and obstructed the bus as well as other cars.

Surprisingly, private cars in Bangkok are allowed to share the BRT lane during rush hours, to “ease the traffic”.

Logically, shouldn’t a bus lane reserved exclusively for public transport be shared only during off-peak hours?

Recently, I had a chance to talk to architect Yanyong Boon-Long who looked at the traffic problem from a civic rights perspective, which is very interesting. Last year, the architect’s attempt to revive water transport in Bangkok canals and small waterways as part of a travel alternative captured media attention.

He said authorities don’t see traffic management as a part of civic rights.

(I hate repeating this, but we all know how the state has always missed the target in solving traffic congestion by building more roads and expressways, and not improving public bus services to encourage commuters to give up their private cars.)

According to Mr Yanyong, a commuter using public transport, especially buses, isn’t treated as the equal of a private car driver, despite the fact that everyone pays the same income tax.

If it’s difficult to visualise, think of how much space a private car owner is allowed to take up on the road compared to that of a bus commuter.

A popular picture that has been shared on social media in the past few years shows the road space occupied by a bus, probably 12 metres long, carrying about 50 people, but the same space can accommodate only three cars (which can mean just three commuters).

Mr Yanyong pointed out that when a private car is allowed to use the BRT lane, it means the bus rider’s civic rights are curbed. He also applied the concept of equality as a way to solve traffic problems.

The architect said the state should promote equality for the masses by introducing exclusive bus lanes on the city’s main roads once a month.

To promote equality, Mr Yanyong suggested authorities hold a monthly experiment by dedicating one lane of main roads such as Rama IV, Sukhumvit, Lat Phrao, Phahon Yothin, Rama II and Rama IX for public buses or vans only and strictly ban private cars from the designated lane.

It’s time City Hall realises that bus riders in Bangkok have been deprived of their rights for too long.

Back to the car-free day, while City Hall does not take the annual event seriously, I envy people in our neighbouring countries where authorities are much more active.

I understand that this year is a hectic time for City Hall with a number of state activities. But it does not require much work to hold such an event.

In Kuala Lumpur, car-free mornings are regularly held in the city centre, which passes the twin Petronas Towers, every first and third Sunday from 7am to 9am. During those hours, only twowheelers on foldable bicycles are allowed to use light rail services on the mornings of those two days.

In Singapore, a recent car-free day event was held in late July, as a part of the state’s 52nd birthday celebrations. It designated a car-free zone where people enjoyed walking and cycling. The next car-free day will be held next month.

I agree with the words of caution from some cyclists that the car-free event won’t really help make cycling safer in Bangkok or that whatever campaign is held everyday cycling trips will still be hazardous. But at least it will make people aware the roads are not paved only for cars and motorised vehicles.

This way we can achieve road justice. Even for just a day.