Call for Road Safety Act to Protect Pedestrians and Cyclists

Road safety advocates have urged the government to enact a Road Safety Act to ensure the protection of pedestrians and cyclists, citing alarming statistics and worsening traffic congestion in Dhaka.

Speaking at the inaugural session of a youth campaign marking the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week, Sharmeen Rahman, Road Safety Project Coordinator at Dhaka Ahsania Mission, highlighted that over 50% of annual road crash fatalities globally involve pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, according to the World Health Organization.

“Walking and cycling can be effective solutions to Dhaka’s traffic congestion,” she said, emphasising the need for a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly infrastructure backed by a strong legal framework.

Held at the Ahsania Mission’s Dhanmondi head office, the event gathered policymakers, transport leaders, and youth activists under this year’s global theme: “Streets for Life: Making Walking and Cycling Safe.”

Neelima Akhter, Executive Director of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), attended as Chief Guest. She stressed the importance of integrating walking and cycling into daily life, noting, “These practices not only improve public health and the environment but also help reduce road crashes and medical costs.”

Prof Dr. Golam Rahman, President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, urged the government to include walkability and cycling infrastructure in its national transport strategy.

Notable speakers included Prof Md. Iqbal Hossain Razu, Vice President of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association; Aminul Islam Sujon, Technical Advisor at Vital Strategies Bangladesh; and Abu Rushd Md. Ruhul Amin, Senior News Editor at Bangla Vision.

Youth voices were also central to the event, with remarks from Abdullah Mehedi Dipto, President of Road Safety Movement, and Iftekhar Ahmed Sakib, President of Bangladesh Medical Students’ Society.

The event concluded with participating youths handing over a memorandum to the Chief Guest, demanding the urgent enactment of a Road Safety Act.