After remaining subdued since 2022, Bangladesh’s motorcycle market showed signs of recovery in 2025, following two consecutive years of declining sales and registrations. Data from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) show that 289,830 motorcycles were registered nationwide in 2025, marking a 10.3 percent increase from 2024. In contrast, estimates from motorcycle manufacturers and distributors suggest that around 450,000 units were sold in the country during the year, representing sales growth of more than 20 percent.
Industry insiders attribute the rebound largely to a sharp rise in demand for high-capacity and technologically advanced motorcycles. They believe this shift in consumer preference has helped the market regain momentum and expect demand to rise further if the country’s political situation stabilises.
While traders remain optimistic about future demand, transport experts have expressed concern over the growing number of motorcycles on the roads. They warn that poor riding skills, disregard for traffic laws, the use of substandard helmets, and reckless behaviour are not only disrupting the transport system but also contributing to accidents and fatalities. Motorcycle crashes have emerged as one of the leading causes of road deaths. According to a report by the non-governmental organisation Road Safety Foundation, 2,671 people were killed in motorcycle accidents in 2025, accounting for more than 36 percent of total road fatalities.
An analysis of BRTA data shows that the highest number of motorcycle registrations in a single year was recorded in 2022, when more than 500,000 units were registered nationwide. Registrations declined steadily thereafter, falling to over 310,000 units in 2023 and further to 262,715 units in 2024.
Officials of motorcycle marketing companies said the economic crisis in 2023 and political instability in 2024 had adversely affected sales. During this period, demand shifted away from low-priced models towards higher-priced motorcycles equipped with advanced technology. As a result, although unit sales declined, the market expanded in value terms. This trend has continued into 2025, alongside a renewed increase in overall sales.
Commenting on the situation, Biplob Kumar Roy, chief executive officer of TVS Autos Bangladesh Limited, told Bonik Barta, “Overall, considering the country’s economic and social context, the motorcycle market has slightly recovered from the slowdown. However, a stable environment is essential for the market to rebound fully.”
With the 13th national parliamentary election scheduled for February 12, motorcycles are increasingly being used for campaign activities and related purposes. Asked whether the upcoming election had any impact on higher motorcycle sales last year, Biplob Kumar Roy said, “When the flow of money in the market increases, sales of products like motorcycles generally rise. During elections, there is usually a higher circulation of money. That may be one reason motorcycle sales were slightly higher during this period. However, this factor will not have a major impact on overall motorcycle trading.”
As motorcycle sales continue to rise, so too do the total number of such vehicles on the roads, along with the number of accidents and fatalities. BRTA data show that Bangladesh currently has around 6.6 million registered motor vehicles, of which more than 4.87 million are motorcycles. The growing number of motorcycles has emerged as a major cause of accidents and disorder in the country’s road transport sector. According to Road Safety Foundation data, compared to 2024, motorcycle accidents increased by 9.70 percent in 2025, while fatalities rose by 2.37 percent. Last year, 3,029 motorcycle accidents were recorded, leaving 2,671 people dead and 2,027 injured. Of those killed, 1,892 were aged between 14 and 45.
The organisation estimates that motorcycles account for 71 percent of all motor vehicles in the country. A large proportion of motorcycle riders are teenagers and young people. Their reckless riding habits often lead to accidents, injuring both themselves and others. A significant number of motorcycle crashes involve collisions with buses and heavy goods vehicles. Even skilled riders are falling victim to accidents caused by reckless driving by other vehicles.
A rising trend in motorcycle accidents and casualties has been observed over the past few years, attributing it to the growing number of motorcycles. They argue that as the number of motorcycles increases, accidents involving them inevitably rise—a pattern seen across countries. Commenting on the issue, Professor Dr. Shamsul Hoque, director of the Accident Research Institute at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), told Bonik Barta, “Motorcycles have now emerged as a major threat to discipline and safety on the country’s roads. Many countries around the world are limiting motorcycle use. Bangladesh should also move in that direction.”