Urban planners and experts warn that though these vehicles offer cheaper and faster transport to city residents and livelihoods to thousands from low-income groups, they could cripple the city's transport network unless regulations are in place and enforced immediately. Often assembled with unreliable braking systems, these unregulated vehicles can reach unsafe speeds, posing serious safety risks.
Several traffic police officers said drivers of these vehicles frequently ignore traffic signals and cross intersections at high speed, contributing to congestion at key points. With no central registry or licensing system, the exact number of battery-powered rickshaws remains unknown. However, leaders of two auto-rickshaw associations estimate that nearly five lakh of these vehicles now operate under 50 police stations in the capital -- already outnumbering traditional paddle rickshaws.
Many drivers lack experience in operating motorised vehicles, and their reckless driving has led to both minor and fatal accidents.
According to Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, battery-powered rickshaws were involved in about 15 percent of the 315 road accidents in Dhaka during the Eid rush between March 24 and April 7. "Drivers of battery-run rickshaws zigzag through traffic, posing safety risks to both passengers and pedestrians," said Shamsul Alam, a resident of Mirpur.
Sharing his bitter experience, Alam said, "I had an accident while boarding a battery-powered rickshaw. Since then, I always ask the driver to go slow. But many don't listen -- sometimes they even race with each other."
Md Kamal, a company-employed car driver, said he struggles to maintain a steady speed due to the overwhelming number of rickshaws and their erratic manoeuvring on roads.
"They hardly pay attention to other vehicles on the road."
Shahida Quader, a resident of Khilgaon, said she suffered a leg injury around three years ago when a battery-run rickshaw overturned and hit her.
"I haven't yet fully recovered… These rickshaws have become a nightmare," she said.
Kazi Md Shifun Newaz, assistant professor at Buet's Accident Research Institute, said battery-run rickshaws can reach up to 30km per hour. This could easily lead to accidents on narrow roads where they mostly operate.
Calling for strict monitoring of rickshaw manufacturers, Newaz said such vehicles must be designed with a maximum speed limit of 20km per hour.
"If you allow them to move at 30km per hour, but expect them to drive at 20, they won't comply -- just like bus and car drivers who often ignore speed limits."
Newaz said the authorities should immediately shut down all illegal charging stations and permit charging only at licensed points. Otherwise, it won't be possible to reduce their numbers.
"If these measures are enforced, their numbers on roads will inevitably fall, and the situation will become manageable. Right now, nothing is controlled."
Presenting a contrast between Dhaka and Chattogram, he said, "You'll hardly see battery-run rickshaws on the main roads in the port city. The authorities there show zero tolerance, and people don't dare to break the rules. In the capital, only vague statements are made. That is why the problem persists."
WHY THE BOOM?
For many, battery-run rickshaws have become a lifeline.
Take Asif Mia for instance. Eight months ago, the 26-year-old worked as a security guard and struggled to survive on a monthly income of only Tk 12,000. Following the August 5 political changeover, he decided to drive a battery-run rickshaw to earn a living.
"Currently, I earn Tk 1,000 to 1,200 a day… Earlier I worked an eight-hour shift. Now, I can drive a battery-run rickshaw for 12-13 hours a day as it doesn't take much effort," Asif said.
Like him, thousands of low-income people took up this as an occupation amid a lack of regulation.
In recent visits to different city areas, these correspondents found that hundreds of rickshaws of all shapes and sizes were operating without adherence to safety standards. The areas include Pallabi, Shewrapara, Bhasantek, Agargaon, Gabtoli, Mohammadpur, Rayerbazar, Gulshan, Banani, and Badda.
There were large rickshaws with four seats, while some pedal rickshaws were converted to battery-run ones that pose greater risks of accident due to their precarious braking mechanism.
Abdul Kader, proprietor of Kakoli Auto House in Bhasantek, said "Many low-income people from all over the country are coming to Dhaka to earn a living by driving battery-powered rickshaws."
Abdul Jalil, president of Gulshan-Banani-Badda Autorickshaw and Easybike Drivers' Association, said the number of such vehicles more than doubled in just 10 months. "About 3,000 such vehicles were in our area prior to August 5 last year. Now the number has risen to 8,000 due to a lack of monitoring.
"Anyone can start driving a battery-run rickshaw without any training," he said, calling for the introduction of registration, licensing and proper regulation.
WHAT ARE THE AUTHORITIES DOING?
The government has drafted a policy to regulate battery-powered rickshaws nationwide.
According to the draft "Electric Three-Wheeler Management Guidelines 2025", rickshaws and other slow-moving vehicles powered by rechargeable batteries are categorised as electric three-wheelers.
It will prohibit the use of these vehicles on highways and introduce requirements for registration, fitness certificates and driving licence.
Mahbuba Ireen, joint secretary at the Local Government Division (city corporation-1), said the draft has been sent to the law ministry for vetting.
"Once it is approved [by the Advisory Council], it will be gazetted," she said.
Md Sarwar Hossain, additional commissioner (traffic) at Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said the policy will introduce vehicle fitness standards, training for drivers and penalties for rules violations.
It will also prioritise the principle of "driver as owner" to deter individuals from owning multiple vehicles.
Meanwhile, the government has moved to pilot a new model of battery-run rickshaw designed by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet).
DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz said that initially, the new rickshaws will be rolled out in a handful of areas, including Nikunja, Gulshan, Baridhara, Aftabnagar, Uttara, parts of Dhanmondi and Paltan, by the end of this month.
"It will be easier to track illegal rickshaws in those areas. Gradually, we will replace traditional rickshaws with the new ones, zone by zone," he told this newspaper recently.
More than 20,000 drivers have already been trained, with 500 to 600 individuals receiving training every day, he said.
"We've finalised a design and will soon allow production."
A government committee comprising Buet engineers and officials from Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) will oversee the process of granting manufacturers permission to produce these vehicles.
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