Amid a sharp rise in road traffic fatalities across Bangladesh, BRAC has called for urgent action to ensure safer walking and cycling environments, as part of its observance of the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week 2025 from May 12–18.
According to the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, over 8,500 people died in road crashes across the country in 2024 – marking an 8.11 percent increase from the previous year.
Among the deceased were 1,879 pedestrians, highlighting the vulnerability of those who walk or cycle in Bangladesh’s traffic system, said a press release issued on Saturday.
In line with this year’s global theme, "Streets for Life – Make Walking Safe and Make Cycling Safe", BRAC’s Road Safety Programme launched a series of initiatives throughout the week to raise awareness and promote safer infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
As part of the week’s activities, BRAC, in partnership with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), organised a rally on Friday at Hatirjheel in the capital.
The rally began at the Amphitheatre and ended at Jheelpar Park, with wide participation from citizens, policymakers and representatives from development organisations.
BRTA Chairman Mohammed Yasin led the rally, accompanied by Md Sarwar, Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic), Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Ahmed Najmul Hussain, Director of BRAC Road Safety Programme.
Speaking at the event, BRTA Chairman Yasin lamented the decline of walking as a common practice, noting that even short commutes are now motorised.
Emphasising the importance of reverting to healthy habits, he encouraged the public to incorporate at least 30 minutes of walking into their daily routines—such as walking home from work—to promote health and ease traffic congestion.
Additional Commissioner Md Sarwar underscored walking and cycling as essential and practical modes of urban mobility. He stressed the need for rule-abiding behaviour, urging citizens to use designated footpaths and overbridges. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to remove illegal hawkers from walkways to ensure safer and more accessible routes for pedestrians.
BRAC Road Safety Director Ahmed Najmul Hussain reiterated the importance of making walking and cycling safe, sustainable, and inclusive. He highlighted the health and environmental benefits of these modes of transport, noting their potential to reduce air pollution, prevent heart disease and obesity, and alleviate mental stress and traffic jams.
Earlier in the week, on Thursday (May 15), BRAC held a human chain in front of its Mohakhali headquarters, where staff and citizens displayed placards calling for safer streets and better protection for vulnerable road users.
Since its inception in 2001, the BRAC Road Safety Programme has worked to improve road safety through public awareness, training, and advocacy. The programme also addresses gender-based violence and sexual harassment in public transport by engaging transport operators, association leaders, and other stakeholders, while working to strengthen reporting and response mechanisms.
Advocacy for legal reforms to improve road safety remains a key component of BRAC’s broader effort to make streets safer for all.