Motorcycle crashes claim 15,712 lives in six years

Motorcycle crashes have claimed 15,712 lives across Bangladesh over the past six and a half years, with another 14,143 people injured during the period, according to a report by the Road Safety Foundation.

The figures highlight the growing road safety risks associated with the rapid expansion of motorcycle use, particularly among young people. More than half of those killed or injured in motorcycle crashes were aged between 13 and 35, the organisation said.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Road Safety Foundation reported that more than 16,000 motorcycle crashes occurred across the country between 2020 and July 2026. The scale of the fatalities has raised fresh concerns over reckless riding, weak enforcement of traffic regulations, inadequate road infrastructure and the lack of affordable public transport.

Motorcycles are particularly vulnerable on roads because riders have little physical protection in a collision. The Road Safety Foundation estimates that motorcycles are around 30 times more risky than other four-wheeled vehicles. At the same time, congestion and the limited availability of convenient public transport have encouraged many people to rely on motorcycles for daily travel.

The organisation also identified the lack of quality helmets as a significant factor behind fatalities. It said properly made helmets can reduce the risk of death in a crash by 48 per cent, making consistent use of approved protective equipment a crucial part of road safety.

Heavy vehicles a major threat

An analysis of crash patterns found that more than 39 per cent of motorcycle crashes occurred after collisions with heavy vehicles. More than 34 per cent resulted from riders losing control, while around 22 per cent involved head-on collisions.

The responsibility attributed to different types of vehicles also points to the dangers created by interactions between motorcycles and larger vehicles. According to the foundation, goods vehicles were linked to around 40 per cent of the crashes. Motorcycle riders were considered solely responsible in more than 36 per cent of cases, while reckless driving by bus drivers was associated with approximately 13.5 per cent of incidents.

Road conditions also influence the distribution of crashes. Around 30 per cent occurred on national highways, 42 per cent on regional roads, 12 per cent on rural roads and about 16.5 per cent in urban areas.

The findings suggest that motorcycle safety cannot be addressed simply by focusing on individual riders. The behaviour of heavy vehicle drivers, road design, traffic management and enforcement all have a bearing on the outcome when motorcycles share busy roads with larger vehicles.

Young riders and speeding

The Road Safety Foundation said motorcycles account for about 71 per cent of all registered motor vehicles in Bangladesh. A substantial proportion are operated by teenagers and young adults.

The organisation has expressed concern about a growing culture of reckless riding among young people. Excessive speed, failure to obey traffic rules and risky manoeuvres can turn relatively minor road hazards into fatal incidents.

It also criticised the style and language used in some motorcycle advertising, arguing that promotional messages that place strong emphasis on speed and performance may increase young consumers’ attraction to high-speed riding.

The foundation identified several interconnected causes behind motorcycle crashes. These include reckless riding by young people, disregard for traffic rules, a culture of reckless motorcycle use during political activities, weak enforcement, inadequate road safety awareness campaigns, poor road infrastructure, limited use of technology for monitoring, insufficient access to affordable public transport and severe traffic congestion.

Calls for stronger road safety measures

The Road Safety Foundation has called for greater use of safety and monitoring technology on motorcycles and stricter enforcement of the requirement to wear quality helmets.

It has also recommended stronger implementation of traffic laws, road safety awareness programmes in educational institutions and safety campaigns through social media, including initiatives facilitated through the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.

The organisation wants motorcycle manufacturers and marketers to reconsider advertising practices that may encourage excessive speed. It has also called for safer road infrastructure and the development of affordable, reliable and passenger-friendly public transport.

The sharp rise in motorcycle use reflects wider transport challenges in Bangladesh, where congestion and limited public transport options can make two-wheelers an attractive alternative for commuters. But the latest figures indicate that greater mobility has also brought a heavy human cost.

Reducing that cost will require action on several fronts at once: safer riding behaviour, quality protective equipment, responsible driving by all road users, effective enforcement, better roads and a public transport system that offers people a practical alternative to motorcycles.