Battery-run rickshaws now cause one in five Dhaka road accidents

Battery-run rickshaws have become a growing danger on Dhaka's roads. Since late 2024, their numbers have surged, leading to a sharp rise in accidents. New data shows these vehicles now account for nearly one-fifth of all road crash victims in the city. By the end of 2024, Dhaka had officially registered 1,247 battery-powered three-wheelers. Within months, accidents involving them spiked dramatically. In March 2025 alone, these vehicles were linked to a significant increase in crashes.

During the recent Eid holiday, most road accident victims treated at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) were hurt in battery-run rickshaw incidents. Out of 1,621 total crash victims, 315—nearly 20%—were involved in collisions with these vehicles. NITOR handled 431 patients from such accidents, with 416 needing emergency surgery. The trend has worsened over time. In 2023, battery-run three-wheelers caused 20.52% of road accident deaths. This figure rose slightly to 21.01% in 2024 and remained high at 19.75% by August 2025. Motorcycle accidents, while still common, accounted for 10.98% of victims in the same period. Road safety experts blame reckless driving, unskilled operators, weak law enforcement, and widespread disregard for traffic rules. Campaigners are now pressing the government to restrict the number of battery-run rickshaws on the streets before the situation worsens.

Without stricter controls, accidents involving battery-run rickshaws are likely to keep rising. Authorities face growing pressure to enforce regulations and curb the rapid expansion of these vehicles. The latest figures highlight the urgent need for action to improve road safety in Dhaka.