No ban on bikes, three-wheelers on highways for now

The government is emphasising on controlling three-wheelers and motorcycles on highways across the country instead of banning them altogether.

For now, the movement of motorbikes and three-wheelers will be initially monitored on five important highways—Dhaka-Aricha, Dhaka-Mymensingh, Dhaka-Tangail, Dhaka-Sylhet and Dhaka-Chittagong.

“We are giving priority to controlling bikes rather than imposing a ban,” said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader after attending the 29th meeting of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC).

The minister also said that the council has rejected a proposal of imposing a ban on motorbikes on highways. The government will prepare a guideline for three-wheeler and bikes later.

The NRSC has also approved the National Road Safety Strategic Action Plan (2021-24) to reduce road accidents by 25 per cent within 2024 and by 50 per cent within 2030.

Following a High Court directive, three-wheelers were banned on 22 important highways in the country in 2015. But the government has changed its position as there was not enough manpower to closely supervise the matter, the minister said.

“Rather than banning motorcycles on the highway, we are giving more importance to how to control them. It is now a way of employment for many in this populous country,” Quader said. “We have already said that we will make policies and it is
being done.”

When asked why only five highways will be monitored even though there are 22 highways in the country, he said, “There is not enough police and manpower to monitor the matter across the country. For now, five important roads will be monitored. It will increase gradually.”

About easing the driving license system, the minister said that there is no need to go to the BRTA office to apply for a driving license. This application can be done online at home.

“From tomorrow, those who will apply for a driving license will be able to apply from home. He or she will have to come to the BRTA office for the test only once,” he said.

Answering a question, the minister informed that the government is now discussing with the World Bank regarding a loan of Tk 4,080 crore for road safety.

“A proposal for a road safety project has already been prepared. Soon it will be placed at the ECNEC meeting. After that, we will go for implementation. Road safety is now our biggest concern,” he said.