A total of 16,065 motorcycle crashes took place in Bangladesh between 2020 and July 2026, killing 15,712 people and injuring 14,143, according to a report by the Road Safety Foundation published today (8 August).

Of the crashes, 3,548 (22.08%) were head-on collisions, while 5,497 (34.21%) occurred after motorcyclists lost control of their vehicle. 

Another 6,314 crashes (39.30%) involved collisions with heavy vehicles, while 706 (4.39%) occurred for other reasons.

Goods vehicles linked to highest share of crashes

According to the report, motorcycle riders were solely responsible for 5,831 crashes (36.29%). 

Goods-laden vehicles, including trucks, covered vans, pickups, tractors, trolleys and lorries, were responsible for 6,481 crashes (40.34%).

Bus drivers were responsible for 2,164 crashes (13.47%), while cars, microbuses, ambulances and jeeps were responsible for 438 (2.72%), said the Road Safety Foundation.

Three-wheelers were responsible for 732 crashes (4.55%), bicycles and rickshaws for 123 (0.76%), and pedestrians for 296 (1.84%).

Regional roads record highest share

Regional roads recorded the highest share of motorcycle crashes, with 6,689 (41.63%), followed by national highways with 4,773 (29.71%).

Rural roads accounted for 1,957 crashes (12.18%), while 2,646 (16.47%) occurred on city roads.

58% of victims aged 13-35

The foundation said motorcycles account for 71% of all registered motor vehicles in Bangladesh, with a large portion operated by teenagers and young people.

It added that reckless motorcycle riding among young people is increasing, while the language and style used in motorcycle advertisements encourage high-speed riding.

The foundation also said many bus and goods vehicle drivers are physically and mentally unwell and drive recklessly, hitting motorcycles and causing crashes.

According to the foundation, 58% of motorcycle crash victims are aged between 13 and 35. Motorcycles are 30 times riskier than four-wheeled vehicles, it added.

However, inadequate and inaccessible public transport and traffic congestion are encouraging people to use motorcycles, resulting in more crashes, it said.

Quality helmets can reduce death risk by 48%

The foundation said the lack of quality helmets is one of the reasons behind rising deaths in motorcycle crashes. 

Quality helmets can reduce the risk of death by 48%, it added.

It identified reckless motorcycle riding by teenagers and young people, violations of traffic laws, a culture of reckless motorcycle riding in politics, weak enforcement of traffic laws, a lack of awareness programmes, faulty and weak road infrastructure, inadequate use of technology and monitoring, insufficient affordable public transport and severe traffic congestion as major causes of motorcycle crashes.

RSF recommends stricter safety measures

The foundation recommended using safety and monitoring technology on motorcycles, making quality helmets mandatory and ensuring strict enforcement of traffic laws.

It also called for awareness campaigns at educational institutions and safety campaigns on social media through the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

It further recommended changing the language and style of motorcycle advertisements, building safer road infrastructure and introducing affordable, passenger-friendly public transport.

Year-wise crash figures

According to the comparative data provided by the foundation, there were 1,381 motorcycle crashes and 1,463 deaths in 2020, 2,078 crashes and 2,214 deaths in 2021, 297 crashes and 3,091 deaths in 2022, 2,532 crashes and 2,487 deaths in 2023, 2,761 crashes and 2,609 deaths in 2024, and 3,029 crashes and 2,671 deaths in 2025.

From January to July this year, there were 1,311 motorcycle crashes and 1,177 deaths, according to the foundation.