Riding a Motorcycle in Bangkok

Though there are millions of motorbikes on Bangkok's roads, Bangkok is not a motorcycle friendly city.

Traffic rules that are designed for low-powered mopeds are strictly enforced for all motorcycles, also for Big Bikes and Heavy Machines, in the inner city of Bangkok.

• There is only one category of motorcycles and it covers all models from 50 cc to 1800 cc. No exceptions.

• Motorcycles generally are not permitted to use Fly-Overs and Underpasses. Instead, they must cross intersections at ground-level through traffic lights. This makes riding a bike in Bangkok cumbersome and inefficient. It results in hundreds of bikes weaving their way to the front at every traffic light and bunching up until lights turn green.

• Motorcycles are required to use only the left-most lane. The main part of any 3 or 4 lane road is off-limits to motorcycles. Interpretations of the law vary, but if you venture into the middle or God forbid the center-lane, expect to be pulled over by a cop.

• All Tollways are off-limits to motorcycles.

• All Inner-Lanes on main Through-Fares are off-limits to motorcycles; only Frontage-Roads may be used.