Analysing the Pathao rider

You need to travel in Dhaka, and you are running late for a meeting, or a class. Who do you call?

For the last two years, that answer has been a unanimous — Pathao! Being able to get to your desired destination at the shortest possible time is one of the reasons that makes Pathao godsend. However, there have been times when you wondered if you have picked the right Pathao 'rider'; so let us break down the strange possibilities.

THE GRAND PRIX ROOKIE

Better be good at saying silent prayers while you are being hurtled down the road at speeds not ascertainable by physics while sitting mere millimetres away from your rider. He will fly through Dhaka's roads at the speed of sound regardless of how many other cars, buses, CNGs, and occasional humans are on the road. And, if, by chance, you unfortunately find an empty road, hold on tight as if your life depends on it; for it really does!

THE MIT GRADUATE

You will be baffled at how effortlessly they ride, drawing long traces of sine, cosine graphs. They will never fail to form a perfect ellipse, which would, by then, leave you questioning all the hours you had put in learning those intricate shapes. Why are you studying engineering again?

SPEED BREAKER

Meet the uncontrollable handle-man for he incessantly keeps twisting the accelerator, almost throwing you off the bike and then hits the brakes just as often, shooting you forward like a cannon ball. You will be left to realise that you spent most of the time glued to their back than on the seat.

Ladies, take caution!

REBEL IS MY MIDDLE NAME

As he speeds past the now-still traffic, changing signals is merely an alterations of colours for this rider. Even while you plant the "I don't know this lunatic rider" look on your face as the grumpy traffic sergeant's death stare keeps getting smaller in the distance, you are left wondering why the rider has no concept of the terms 'ticket' or 'impound' or jail, or even traffic laws!

Regardless of the type of Pathao driver you find, 'Pathao' has proven to be a blessing for those of us running constantly late for things we should have already been at 10 minutes ago. As a precaution though, never forget to carry a helmet with yourself for not all 'Pathaos' come with helmets. Remember, safety first!