Motorcycles on footpaths

More than 10 years ago, the High Court ordered to stop vehicles, particularly motorcycles, on footpaths and walkways. But the order was never carried out by the authorities concernerd. Thus, riding motorcycles on footpaths has become a common feature in Dhaka. Many also drive motorcycles on the wrong side of the road in front of law enforcers. The result is chaos on roads and streets. Pedestrians also cannot walk safely as footpaths are occupied by notorious motorbikers as well as street vendors. It has now also become impossible to protest or resist motorbikes on footpaths. If a pedestrian objects to riding of motorcycles on footpaths, the wrongdoer becomes aggressive. Instead of acknowledging his fault, the defaulter rather tries to assault the pedestrian. The same is true of the motorcyclists who drive on the wrong side of the road. The private car or auto-rickshaw on the right side of the road can't move ahead due to the motorcycles on the wrong side. Thus, it creates undue traffic congestion. Traffic police mostly ignore the illegal acts of motorbikers as there are some members of the law-enforcing agencies, political activists, and local goons among the lawbreakers. So, it has become a deep social malaise. But the authorities seem to care little about the issue.

Russel Ahmed
Kalabagan, Dhaka