Increasing number of motorbikes in the hands of unskilled bikers and their desperate driving on roads in the capital have posed a serious threat to the city dwellers. These motorbikes are also playing a vital role in intensifying traffic congestion in the city besides increasing the occurrences of accidents.
Dr Mizanur Rahman of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) at a function at the Engineers’ Institute of Bangladesh (IEB) on Saturday said, “The number of motorbikes is about 80 percent of the total mass-transports. Unless motorbikes are not controlled just at this moment, it will turn into a severe crisis like the rickshaws.”
The Accident Research Institute (ARI) of BUET, in one of its reports said, at least 53 people were killed and 19 others sustained injuries in 48 incidents of motorbike accidents in 2018. The number of casualties in last eight months this year is higher compared to the last year. The ARI disclosed the information at a meeting of the National Highway Security Council held on Thursday last. At the meeting, experts opined that increasing number of motorbikes would appear as a threat to the capital as well as to the commuters and transportation system.
Earlier, Obaidul Quader, the minister for Road, Transport and Bridges, also termed motorbikes as the most dangerous one among all the vehicles. According to sources, around 7,00,000 motorbikes are plying on roads in capital Dhaka. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) office sources said around 2.7 million motorbikes are plying on roads across the country and 1,00,000 new motorbikes are being added each year. It should be mentioned that usually earlier around 30,000 motorbikes would get registrations each year.
Experts say the number to motorbike registration has started to increase since the ride-sharing system was introduced in 2015. Around 50,000 motorbikes were registered in 2016, around 75,000 in 2017 and around 1,00,000 in 2018. Accordingly, 62,000 bikes have already been registered in last eight months this year, said the BRTA officials.
Experts say after the introduction of the ride-sharing service system, a large number of unskilled people have engaged themselves as the bikers. They somehow managed driving licenses and other required papers. They said accidents are taking place in most cases just due to driving of motorbikes by unskilled drivers. They neither know the traffic rules, nor want to obey the laws. They always want to drive their bikes in high speed to reach their destination quickly. Not only that, traffic jam is intensified on city roads for the same reason.
Sources at the BRTA said at least 20 ride-sharing firms are active in capital Dhaka. But, all of those app-based firms are running business without registrations. Those firms include Uber Bangladesh Ltd, Pathao Ltd, Sohoj Riders, Pickme Ltd, Chaldal Ltd, Akash Technology Ltd, Golden Rain Ltd, Obhai Solutions Ltd, Rider Rideshare Inc Ltd, Easier Technologies Ltd, Akij Online Ltd, Chalo, Amar Bike, Bahon, Amar Ride, Dhaka Riders and Dhaka Moto.
