Regulating battery-run rickshaws

The use of battery-run rickshaws is increasing in various areas of the country, including the capital, Dhaka. While a small number of paddled rickshaws still operate in the capital, they cannot be found at all in other cities and rural areas. Most of the pedal rickshaws have been retrofitted with motors.
While motorised rickshaws have freed the rickshaw drivers from manual labour, there are significant concerns that need to be addressed. Foremost among these is the lack of training for the drivers of these motorised rickshaws. Moreover, these vehicles do not any licence. It is estimated that at least 5 million families rely on these rickshaws for their livelihood.
However, the question is if the government is receiving any revenue from these 5 million rickshaws. Are these rickshaws designed and manufactured according to any standards? If not, the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) should establish guidelines to ensure safety and reliability of these motorised risckshaws. Innovative use of rickshaws is welcome, but that must be regulated for the sake of safety. Drivers must receive proper training, and rickshaws must be licensed.
Furthermore, there should be clear directives regarding which roads these rickshaws can use and which ones they cannot. Proper regulation and standardisation are crucial to ensuring the safety of both the drivers and the passengers. That is also necessary for facilitating government oversight and revenue collection.
Asif Islam
Student
Jahangirnagar University