To begin with, Dhaka is densely populated and the streets are congested. This is why cycles are one of the most efficient and effective modes of transportation available in the city. However, riding a cycle in Dhaka can have its pros and cons. If we focus on the cons first and leave the good bits for the end, the first thing I would talk about is the lack of awareness. On the packed streets, one would be surprised if they found a motorist who respects or sees a cyclist as an individual. The most common thing a cyclist would face is constant horns from vehicles even though they are in their own lane. The noise is infuriating and what can be more frustrating is when your hand signals are deliberately ignored which can lead to a serious accident. The other problems a cyclist in the city faces on a day to day basis includes; extreme air pollution which can lead to a lot of health and respiratory issues. Most of the roads have bumps, potholes or are in devastating conditions which makes cycling in Dhaka constrained and stressful, whereas it is suppose to be calming. Without a proper cycle, Dhaka roads would be a nightmare to tackle and would also increase the possibilties of facing an accident and a terrible injury. On top of that, reckless motorists like bus drivers demotivate people from riding their cycles on the roads, due to the fear of calamities. However, among all of these cons there are some good aspects which motivate cyclists to continue their passion for cycling in this busy city.
