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The culture of renting bikes has, with time, gained momentum as a flexible, less expensive method of transportation both in urban and tourist areas. Be it treading through the jammed roads of a city or meandering through picturesque coastal roads, renting a bike presents an option which is quite endearing to both locals and tourists.
Because of this demand, Bangladesh, let alone Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar, is taking an upward trend in bike rental services. These services create opportunities and challenges in equal measure for people seeking convenient, affordable transport.
Apart from Uber, Pathao, and so on, in offerings from a basic rental model through apps, Bbike offers starting fares of 150 takas, targeting those seeking short-term transportation. Chaad Ride grants more flexible alternatives to fit a budget starting as low as 58 takas per hour. They let users rent bikes on an hourly, weekly, and even monthly basis. This flexibility is particularly helpful for tourists or long-term visitors who need cheaper transportation.
In Cox’s Bazar, the bike rental service is favoured for trips along the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive 80-kilometer coastal road with breathtaking views of the Bay of Bengal.
Prices are seasonal; during the off-season, a bike rental along the drive costs about 200 takas per hour, and at peak season, this may rise to 500 takas. A full round trip that takes about four hours costs in the range from 800 takas in the off-season to 3,000 takas in the high season.
The benefits of renting a bike are affordability, mainly. When the prices reach as low as 58 takas per hour, the usage of bikes is rather cheap compared to taxis or ride-sharing services, especially for small trips inside Dhaka or Cox’s Bazar.
Another advantage it offers is flexibility. The rental bike will carry users at their own pace, whether for commuting or for gazing at the sights. In the traffic-clogged metropolis of Dhaka, bikes are much faster and more efficient at getting people through the jammed roads. In Cox’s Bazar, bike rentals provide a means to explore the scenic Marine Drive independently.
Saifee Islam, a tourist who availed himself of the service, said, “Renting a bike in Cox’s Bazar gave me the freedom to explore without thinking about schedules. I could stop anywhere along Marine Drive to enjoy the view. I also can have the foods from different places of the city.”
Besides, it is an eco-friendly option, especially in such places with a lot of tourists like Cox’s Bazar. By choosing bikes instead of cars, the impact is much less, which is important for many travellers who think about the environment.
Despite the benefits, there are some drawbacks to deal with. Among them, seasonal price variations can be identified as a crucial issue.
Places located in tourist spots raise the prices during the peak season of tourism. What one would ride through Marine Drive by paying 800 takas during off-peak seasons might be hiked to 3,000 takas during the peak season, which becomes inaccessibly pricey for budget travellers.
Md. Shafiq, a rental shop owner, said, “We hike prices in the peak season when demand is high. In the off-season, we try to keep them reasonable. It is about the market; we are just the pawn of it.”
Safety is another concern. Riding a bike is dangerous in Dhaka - especially for those who need to become more familiar with the oft-unpredictable local traffic. In Cox’s Bazar, though the roads are less crowded, the Serpentine Marine Drive presents any number of risks for an inexperienced rider.
The other issue is the maintenance of the bikes on rent. Not all of the bikes are kept well; as a result, they may break down during a ride, which may cause accidents. On longer rides- such as Marine Drive, it may be quite a serious problem in cases where this may leave the rider far from help.
Bike rentals in Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar take away much hassle and are very affordable. Companies show flexibility regarding pricing and allow one to move at his or her own pace, which appeals to locals and tourists alike. However, renters have to be prepared for the negative side of it.
A rise in prices seasonally, safety risks, and very limited support. While these are concerns, for many, the advantages of cheap, flexible travel outweigh them; still, it is essential to consider both the benefits and the challenges before renting a bike in these regions.