One of the wrong policies of the ousted government was the promotion of motorbikes or motorcycles in the country. It overlooked the negative impact of motor cycle proliferation. On the one hand, the government created room for manufacturing, assembling and importing motorcycles at a lower cost. It also reduced registration fees and relaxed regulatory requirements for individuals to purchase motorcycles. These are all part of the direct policy to promote motorcycles nationwide. On the other hand, the Awami League government's unwillingness to make the country's bus-based public transport efficient acted as an indirect incentive for people to procure motorcycles.
Advocates of the motorcycle explosion argued that the government's supportive policy helped develop a domestic motorcycle manufacturing industry, saving foreign currencies and creating thousands of jobs. Moreover, cheap motorcycles have made life easy for millions of people, as they are now able to move faster. Motorcycle ridesharing also brings a win-win for both the drivers and riders.
All these arguments are true, and there is no denying the positive contributions of motorcycle use. Nevertheless, the negative side of the development must not be overlooked, and it now requires remedial measures.
At present, there are at least 3.88 million registered motorcycles in the country, of which 30 per cent are in Dhaka. The number of unregistered motorbikes is unknown, and these unregistered vehicles mostly ply in some rural and border areas of the country. The number of registered motorbikes increased by 19 per cent annually on an average over the past 10 years, leading to a motorbike boom in the country.
With the rise in motorcycles, there is also a rise in road accidents due to unruly and reckless driving by a section of bikers. Motorcycle driving on the opposite and wrong sides of the roads and streets has become a regular thing. Riding and parking motorcycles on footpaths is also common in Dhaka. It becomes impossible for the traffic police to control the persistent violation of traffic laws by many motorcycle users. The growing number of motorcycles has become a major source of chaos and congestion in Dhaka and many other parts besides paddled and battery-driven rickshaws.
In a densely populated city like Dhaka, where the proportion of road surface to built-up area is less than 10 per cent, significantly lower than the 20 to 25 per cent generally recommended for good city planning, the need for an efficient public transport system is paramount. As it is quite difficult to expand the roads and streets due to limited lands, the city requires a reliable and efficient public transport system for all regular commuters. Motorcycles are not a viable alternative, despite the Hasina regime's virtual promotion of personal vehicles as a mode of public transport. This was clearly reflected during the out-bound Eid journey from Dhaka.
The low-cost motorcycle also tempted many youth and students to use it without considering the various risks. The latest craze for purchasing a Royal Enfield motorcycle is an example in this connection.
The vehicle also played a negative role by distorting social orders and making many too individualistic. Many of the riders were insensitive to others on the streets, causing trouble and even conflicts.
Addressing the motorcycle issue is not a simple task; it requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. These include providing better alternatives and incentives for not using motorcycles, ensuring the efficiency of public buses to reduce the need for ridesharing, and keeping footpaths and walkways free for pedestrians. Roads and streets should also be free from makeshift vendors and unauthorised parking of vehicles. All these measures will encourage people to avoid motorcycles and private cars to a large extent. Fiscal incentives, along with other supportive policies for the motorbike industry, also need to be revised gradually.
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