Bangladesh motorcycle accidents account for 50% of monthly road incidents

Motorcycle accidents now account for approximately 50 per cent of all monthly road accidents in Bangladesh, driven by a rapid increase in motorcycle registrations. Data from passenger welfare and road safety organizations indicate that motorcycles now represent nearly 74 per cent of all registered vehicles in the country.

In the first six months of 2026, the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity reported 1,114 motorcycle accidents resulting in 1,173 deaths and 941 injuries. Separately, the Road Safety Foundation recorded 1,342 accidents and 1,038 deaths during the same period. Students are among the most affected demographics; the Road Safety Foundation noted that 7,364 students died in road accidents between 2019 and June 2026, with many aged 13-25 dying as riders or passengers.

According to Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) data, the growth of motorcycles has contrasted with a slowdown in public transport registration. Of the 5,297,279 new vehicles added since 2011, nearly 80 per cent were motorcycles. In contrast, registrations for buses and minibuses have remained sluggish, and taxicab registration has nearly stalled, with no new taxicabs registered in 2021, 2023, 2024, or 2025.