Dhaka’s sidewalks, meant to be the last refuge for weary pedestrians navigating one of the world’s most congested cities, are increasingly being taken over by motorcycles. For many in the capital, walking to work, school or the market means sharing space and sometimes collisions with two-wheelers that weave recklessly across the pavement.
What began as an occasional nuisance has become routine. On major thoroughfares like Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Mirpur Road, Elephant Road and parts of Motijheel, motorcyclists mount the sidewalks to escape gridlocked traffic. The move may save them a few minutes, but for those on foot, the consequences are often bruises, broken bones, or worse.
Pedestrians describe a mix of fear and resignation. “You’re walking and suddenly a bike brushes past your shoulder,” said Anwara Hossain, a garment worker who commutes daily through Farmgate. “If you protest, they yell at you. If you stay silent, you risk getting hit.”
The disregard extends to the motorcyclists’ own safety. Many ride without helmets, despite helmet use being mandatory under Bangladeshi traffic law. Riders can be seen with helmets dangling from their handlebars, or none at all, exposing themselves to potentially fatal head injuries in the event of a crash.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police periodically announces drives against violators seizing motorcycles, fining helmetless riders, and pledging stricter enforcement. Yet the crackdowns often fade within days. For residents, the inconsistency is galling. “They enforce the law only when there’s pressure or a big accident in the news,” said Shahadat Hossain, a university student. “After that, everything returns to chaos.”
The problem is not just a matter of unruly drivers. Dhaka’s infrastructure is notoriously hostile to pedestrians. Sidewalks are narrow, broken, or occupied by vendors, pushing people closer to the road. With traffic often at a standstill, motorcycles treat these spaces as an unofficial extension of the street.
For now, the burden falls on ordinary pedestrians forced to dodge both vendors and vehicles on ground meant for their feet alone. In a city of more than 20 million, the sidewalk has become yet another battlefield in Dhaka’s relentless struggle to move.