September 18, 2026

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Why many Dhaka motorcyclists wear inadequate helmets

Under Bangladesh’s Road Transport Act, both motorcycle drivers and passengers are required to wear helmets, with violations punishable by fines or jail terms. Yet many ride-share drivers purchase inexpensive helmets solely to comply with the law, raising questions about their effectiveness in preventing serious injuries.

To avoid legal penalties, many ride-share drivers buy cheap, low-quality helmets from roadside vendors in Dhaka. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
To avoid legal penalties, many ride-share drivers buy cheap, low-quality helmets from roadside vendors in Dhaka. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
To avoid legal penalties, many ride-share drivers buy cheap, low-quality helmets from roadside vendors in Dhaka. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
To avoid legal penalties, many ride-share drivers buy cheap, low-quality helmets from roadside vendors in Dhaka. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
Bachchu Mia sells helmets at different prices from a temporary footpath stall at the Science Lab intersection in Dhaka, where he has been operating for about a year. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
Bachchu Mia sells helmets at different prices from a temporary footpath stall at the Science Lab intersection in Dhaka, where he has been operating for about a year. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
Helmets priced between Tk 100 taka and Tk 2,500 are displayed for sale on the footpath at the Science Lab intersection in the capital, with ride-share drivers forming the majority of customers. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
Helmets priced between Tk 100 taka and Tk 2,500 are displayed for sale on the footpath at the Science Lab intersection in the capital, with ride-share drivers forming the majority of customers. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
Bachchu Mia, a helmet vendor at the Science Lab intersection, says most of his customers are ride-share drivers who buy helmets primarily to avoid fines imposed by traffic police. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
Bachchu Mia, a helmet vendor at the Science Lab intersection, says most of his customers are ride-share drivers who buy helmets primarily to avoid fines imposed by traffic police. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
A motorcycle rider pulls over beside a roadside helmet shop at the capital’s Science Lab intersection to look at the items on display. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
A motorcycle rider pulls over beside a roadside helmet shop at the capital’s Science Lab intersection to look at the items on display. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
A motorcyclist stops to examine helmets at a footpath stall at the Science Lab intersection in Dhaka. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
A motorcyclist stops to examine helmets at a footpath stall at the Science Lab intersection in Dhaka. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
A motorcycle rider pulls over beside a roadside helmet shop at the capital’s Science Lab intersection to look at the items on display. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
A motorcycle rider pulls over beside a roadside helmet shop at the capital’s Science Lab intersection to look at the items on display. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
Helmets of different colours and sizes are arranged on the footpath at the Science Lab intersection in Dhaka. None bear a recognisable certification mark. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
Helmets of different colours and sizes are arranged on the footpath at the Science Lab intersection in Dhaka. None bear a recognisable certification mark. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
A temporary helmet shop run by Bachchu Mia on the footpath at the Science Lab intersection sells helmets and offers repairs for locks and visors. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
A temporary helmet shop run by Bachchu Mia on the footpath at the Science Lab intersection sells helmets and offers repairs for locks and visors. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
A temporary helmet shop run by Bachchu Mia on the footpath at the Science Lab intersection sells helmets and offers repairs for locks and visors. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi
A temporary helmet shop run by Bachchu Mia on the footpath at the Science Lab intersection sells helmets and offers repairs for locks and visors. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi

bdnews24.com

Published : 15 Jan 2026, 03:13 PM

Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 06:16 PM

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