The number of battery-powered rickshaws has surged sharply over the past year across Bangladesh, including in the capital, Dhaka. Most of these vehicles are converted from regular pedal rickshaws by attaching batteries and motors. While the modification increases their speed, the weak braking system has led to frequent accidents. A large number of unskilled drivers, along with random parking and reckless driving, have worsened traffic chaos on city streets. The uncontrolled rise of battery-powered rickshaws has now become one of the leading threats to road safety in Bangladesh. Against this backdrop, the country is observing National Road Safety Day on Wednesday, October 22. This year’s theme is “Quality helmets and safe speed reduce loss of life and property.”
Although this year’s theme focuses mainly on raising awareness about motorcycle safety, transport experts note that the unchecked proliferation of battery-powered rickshaws in Dhaka and other major cities has emerged as one of the most pressing safety issues in the transport sector.
Under existing laws, battery-powered rickshaws are not eligible for registration, and there are no official figures on how many of these vehicles are currently operating. In February 2024, then–State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid told parliament that Bangladesh had around 4 million easy bikes and battery-powered rickshaws. Industry insiders believe that the number has grown by several hundred thousand more over the past 18 months.
Battery-powered rickshaws are wreaking havoc on the country’s road system, said public transport expert and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) professor Dr. Shamsul Hoque. Speaking to Bonik Barta, he said, “Along with creating disorder, traffic congestion, and insecurity, these rickshaws have practically turned Dhaka into a provincial town. Similar patterns are now visible in other major cities as well.”
Dr. Hoque alleged that the number of battery-powered rickshaws in Bangladesh has risen with the tacit approval of the administration. “The agencies the government created as regulators have failed to act professionally and instead allowed these vehicles to operate freely,” he said. “Rather than controlling battery-powered rickshaws, they have stood by as spectators. Over time, this mode of transport has turned into a major social ailment. Addressing it will require strong political will. The problem must be tackled at the production level, while introducing modern and efficient public transport as an alternative.”
Traffic police officers also said that battery-powered rickshaws are severely undermining urban traffic systems. Several officers, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the vehicles frequently change speed without warning, drive in the wrong lane, and even travel against traffic on major roads — creating serious hazards for faster-moving vehicles. Many drivers have no prior experience operating rickshaws or knowledge of traffic laws, leading to growing disorder and frequent accidents.
According to data from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), eight people were killed across the country in accidents involving battery-powered rickshaws in September. Another 39 people died in autorickshaw accidents, while eight others were killed in easy-bike crashes. More than a hundred people were injured in incidents involving these vehicles. Non-governmental organizations estimate the actual number of casualties is even higher. Experts attribute the rising accidents to poor vehicle construction, weak braking systems, and reckless driving behavior.
In response to the growing crisis, the government is now exploring safer alternatives for urban transport, said Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser at the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges. “We are working to introduce upgraded and safer vehicles as alternatives to battery-powered rickshaws,” he told Bonik Barta. “With technical assistance from BUET, several models of safe motorized rickshaws have been designed. We are also in talks with manufacturers. These improved and safer rickshaws may soon be registered for use in Dhaka. At the same time, we are considering whether battery-powered rickshaws should continue to operate on Dhaka’s inner roads.”