BEPRC moves to formulate guideline for easy bikes
1.0m illegal easy bikes plying streets across the country
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Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC) is formulating a guideline for easy bikes as they are running illegally, killing hundreds of people in road accidents, its chairman Zakia Sultana said.
A survey, conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) in 2018, revealed that some 381,570 easy bikes are currently in operation in the country which is nearly 14.35 per cent of total vehicles.
The country’s traditional easy bikes lack physical configuration, vehicle performance, electrical requirements and standard design which are believed to be the main reasons for road accidents, she also insisted.
The BEPRC chairman made the remarks at a seminar styled 'Development of a Design Standard for Easy Bike in Bangladesh' on Thursday.
Prime Minister's Energy Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury was present as the chief guest at the seminar while the BEPRC chairman chaired it.
BEPRC is a state-run council under the Power Division, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi said road accidents are increasing day by day as there is no guideline for easy bikes.
The easy bikes should be made in line with the guidelines which are now under formulation, he insisted.
Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi also underlined the need for training for the easy bike drivers.
BEPRC Chairman Zakia further said some 1.0 million easy bikes are now in operation illegally across the country as there is no license or road permit for them.
Power Division Secretary Md Habibur Rahman was present as the special guest at the programme.
Officials from energy and power organisations, representatives from the Roads and Highways Department and government high officials also attended the seminar.