Motorbikes on Thursday staged a protest and bike rally to demand the removal of the ban on motorcycles on the Padma Bridge and separate bike lanes in the roads ahead of the Eid al-Fitr.
Save The Road founder and senior vice-chairman Momin Mehedi presided over the rally while its chairman ZM Kamrul Anam addressed the programme virtually held in front of National Press Club in the capital.
Save The Road vice-chairman Bikash Roy, organising secretary Mohidul Mollik among others demanded separate bike lanes in all highways-bridges to reduce road accidents.
“Roads will be safer if bike lanes are constructed immediately.” Momin Mehedi said.
While speaking as the chief speaker, Secretary General Santa Farzana said, “Government will earn crores of revenue if bikers are allowed to ply on Padma bridge. Bikers, who pay all the vat and taxes and get a driving license cannot be banned on the roads. Separate bike lanes, initiatives and police-administration’s coordinated efforts needed to save bikers’ lives.”
Earlier, two people were killed in a motorcycle accident on June 26 last year, the first day the bridge was opened to the public.
Since then, the two-wheeler was banned by the government to stop plying on the bridge until further notice.
Following the move, bikers have been protesting the decision and resorted to crossing the bridge carrying the vehicles on pickup vans.