Only 2 people on each motorbike

Following several recent murders committed by bike-riding criminals, the government yesterday said it would ensure that no more than two people ride a motorbike.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges issued a circular in this regard yesterday.

The Motor Vehicles Act, 1983, prohibits more than one pillion rider and both riders must wear helmets.

But in reality the rules are not followed, which is a threat to law and order and road safety, said the circular.

“Only two people are allowed to ride a motorcycle, not three. As we often see that the targeted killings are being carried out by three motorcyclists [three people riding a motorbike],” said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal while talking with reporters at his office.

In recent years it has been seen that criminals and militants often use motorcycles as their getaway vehicle.

“Police will ensure that three people do not ride a motorcycle together. Directives have already been given to law enforcement agencies in this regard,” the home minister said.

Kamal said a motorcyclist would not be allowed to carry even his or her spouse and child since it would be three people on one bike.

Apart from the killing of the wife of a police superintendent in Chittagong on Sunday, suspected militants and criminals used motorcycles in at least 10 other attacks across the country, including the killings of Italian aid worker Cesare Tavella, Japanese national Kunio Hoshi, Rajshahi University teacher Prof Rezaul Karim Siddiquee.

According to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, among the registered 2.1 million vehicles, 1.3 millions are motorbikes.

On January 22, 2015, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges had imposed a ban on bikers carrying pillion passenger as at that time it had become common for criminals to explode crude bombs in public places, especially on busy streets, and carry out arson attacks using motorbikes.