If you want to ease your movement in and around Bangkok, there are numerous transportation options to consider. One of these options is riding a motorbike, but there is always a question mark about the safety of commuting with motorbikes in the capital city of Thailand. So, is it safe to drive a motorbike in Bangkok?
To be candid, riding a motorbike in Bangkok is not an easy task because there are so many issues that you can encounter on the road. The rate of motorbike accidents in the city is quite high. Nevertheless, if you are an experienced rider who follows basic safety procedures, you can ride a motorbike in Bangkok without any problem.
Also, you need to master how traffic conditions work in Thailand. This will help you to do the right things when you are driving a motorbike on the road with other road users. Nonetheless, this article will explain more things you have to know about driving a motorbike in Bangkok.
Do you need health or travel insurance to drive a motorbike in Bangkok?
When driving a motorbike in Bangkok, you should make sure that you have travel or health insurance. As noted by Centarahotelsresorts.com, motorbike accidents are somewhat common in Thailand; therefore, you need to plan against any injuries that may occur if involved in any accidents. Without an insurance policy, you may need to pay lots of money to cover medical care and other issues. Such out-of-pocket payments can lead to big financial losses for you.
Therefore, it is crucial to have health or travel insurance before riding a motorbike in Bangkok.
Can having a license help you to stay safe when riding a motorbike in Bangkok?
Yes, having a license can affect your overall experience when riding a motorbike in Bangkok. Although a license itself doesn’t necessarily increase your safety directly, it can make a big difference in what will happen to you in many situations. With a license, you can easily prove that you know what it takes to ride a motorbike. Also, if you are involved in an accident without a license, you may be charged to court for this issue. Of course, you don’t want to face court charges in a foreign country like Thailand.
According to Thethailandlife.com, many motorbike rental companies will request your license before allowing you to rent a bike. This is another good reason for you to get a license before riding a motorbike. So, if you don’t have a license, you should not hesitate to get one in Bangkok before you start driving a motorbike.
Important safety tips for riding a motorbike in Bangkok
Since riding a motorbike in Bangkok can be somewhat chaotic, you need to be careful when you are on the road. In view of this, Worldnomads.com, Mojomatt.me, Thethailandlife.com, and other reliable sources recommend the following safety tips for you:
- Don’t speed
When the road is seemingly free, you may be tempted to run a full speed. Unfortunately, things can change quickly and lead to problems for you and/or other road users. So, make sure you drive within safe limits. When riding slowly, the risk of accidents is low. Even if involved in an accident, riding slowly can lower the level of injury or damage.
- Always wear a helmet
No matter how short or long your journey is meant to be, you should always wear a helmet when riding a motorbike in Bangkok. In fact, you should consider using a full-face helmet as it offers more protection than other options.
- Put on protective clothing
Long trousers, a jacket made with thick material, gloves, shoes, etc. can come in handy when you are involved in minor accidents. Therefore, you should make sure that you always wear protective clothing when riding a motorbike in Bangkok.
- Stay focused
Make sure you pay great attention to everything happening on the road and to your motorbike. If it seems that your bike is having an issue or you don’t feel safe to ride, you should stop riding to prevent accidents.
- Avoid riding at night
Accidents tend to happen more at the night than during the day. Besides, most criminals will prefer to operate when in the dark. So, if possible, you should avoid riding at night as this will boost your safety when riding a bike in Bangkok.
- Avoid overtaking a taxi on the left
While driving on the road, a taxi may stop to drop off or pick up a passenger. Unluckily, many of the taxi drivers may not indicate at all or do it late. This can lead to a problem for a motorbike rider that is trying to overtake the taxi on the left. Therefore, you should avoid taking such a risk. Only overtake by the right.
- Don’t drink or do drugs and ride a motorbike
Riding a motorbike under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the leading causes of accidents in different parts of the world. So, if you don’t want to be involved in accidents in Bangkok, you should avoid riding a bike when drinking or doing drugs.
- Observe the road signs
Although you may notice that many motorbike riders don’t observe road signs in some areas in Bangkok, be different. Make sure you always observe the road signs. If you don’t know the basic road signs in Thailand, you should try to educate yourself before you start riding a motorbike in the capital city.
- Ride as if other road users are crazy
The last tip you should consider is riding a motorbike in Bangkok as if other road users are crazy. Don’t expect other road users to do the right things. Always keep in mind that some drivers, riders, or even pedestrians may decide to use the road wrongly. Don’t fight for the road with anyone. With this, you will be extra careful to avoid getting involved in an accident.
Conclusion
Riding a motorbike in Bangkok can be quite risky because the roads are always busy with lots of carefree drivers and riders. But if you are experienced and careful, you can ride a motorbike in Bangkok without any problem.
