After being banned for 16 years on Yangon streets, motorbikes are making a comeback.
Sort of.
A regional lawmaker floated a proposal on Thursday to allow riding bikes in seven outlying Yangon townships, the Myanmar Times reported.
They are, according to the report,Shwepyithar, Mingalardon, Dagon Seikkan, Hlaing Tharyar, South Dagon, North Dagon and East Dagon.
Sorry, no downtown.
Bikes were banned in 2003 under the junta, though the reason differs depending on you who ask. Some say the noise bothered a general, others say it had something to do with a crash involving a motorbike.
They are still used by police officers and other government workers.
At any rate, it seems to have been an unintentionally wise move. If there is one thing downtown doesn’t need it’s more vehicles clogging the streets.
The MP told the paper that allowing the bikes – which are already in use in an unofficial capacity in these townships – would make it cheaper for residents to get around and easier as there aren’t many bus routes servicing the outskirts of the city.
A transport official was quoted as saying the government would support the idea.
