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The government has finally reduced the registration fee of a motorcycle. The cost of registering 100cc motorcycles has come down to Tk 2,000 from Tk 4,200. For those over 100cc, it drops to Tk 3,000 from Tk 5,600. The decision was taken in August last, which finally comes into effect this month. By doing so, the government has taken another `wrong step' towards promoting motorbikes as a cheap transport for quick mobility. By gradually cutting the cost of a motorcycle, the situation has become like a Bengali proverb: shaster teen obostha (cheap and nasty).
Over the years, most of the motor-bikers in Dhaka and other parts of the country, have turned unruly, insensitive and aggressive. They care little about the traffic rules and have no shame to drive on the opposite direction or wrong side of the road. They are quite arrogant and infringe on footpaths, creating trouble for pedestrians. On occasions and at some spots, they behave like gangsters. Their reckless driving, coupled with such bad manners, becomes a major cause of road accidents.
Statistics compiled by a leading organisation on road safety movement unveiled that the rate of bike accidents increased to 27 per cent last year from 19 per cent in 2019. According to the statistics, at least 4,969 people were killed and 5,058 were injured in 4,092 different types of accidents in 2020. It is not unlikely that the actual number of accidents is more as not all the accidents might have been reported to police station correctly. The alarming thing is the rise of motorbike accidents, which reflects the bikers' violation of traffic rules in most cases.
Other motor vehicles like bus, trucks, private cars, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and human haulers are also no less responsible for road accidents. Reckless driving by one of these vehicles may cause accident and harm others. A motorcycle is, however, the most trouble maker on the road. A large number of motor-bikers' notorious behavior comes to notice all around. Sudden lane changes and sudden turnings without indicators by these bikers make driving difficult and risky for other vehicles too.
As motorcycle becomes cheaper day by day, many youngsters are desperate to avail of a motorbike. They mostly drive motorcycles recklessly to display their bravery and present themselves as adventurers. Some violate the traffic rules and create nuisance in public. Some of them are involved in different criminal activities like drug peddling. Some don't bother about road discipline and safety. If any collision occurs with vehicles even due to the bikers' fault, they become aggressive and abusive to the other party.
Though the necessity of motorbike is undeniable for better mobility, making it too cheap does not make sense. Some restriction is necessary for driving a motorcycle. Training and tests before obtaining licences are a must because bikers can be well versed with traffic rules in this way. Using proper helmet and other safety gears needs to be ensured. Finally, a campaign is also necessary to help mend the attitude and behaviour of the wayward motor-bikers.