Bike Passengers’ Helmets: For Protection or Pretention?

When it comes to choosing a mode of transport on the busy roads of Dhaka, one of the first choices would be a bike for many passengers. The reasons are evident: it saves their time and helps them navigate through narrow streets. For services from ride-sharing to sending urgent parcels, this service has gained huge popularity among the city’s people. However, among all the green lights, one red light that most ride passengers will surely notice is the poor condition and standards of the helmets the ride sharers are using. 
When it comes to bike safety, a helmet is an indispensible safety kit you need. Most motorbike accidents carry a higher risk of death; therefore, wearing a helmet is recommended at all times. Not only that, the WHO reports that head and neck injuries are the main causes of disability among the users of motorcycles.  Ride sharing guidelines only suggest wearing one helmet, but it does not mention the type or the quality of helmet that the passengers are supposed to use. As a result, most bike riders that share rides offer their passengers low-quality plastic half-headed helmets that barely provide any safety. Rather than being protective gear, they become a fake shield that the riders use to keep themselves safe from law enforcement.  During random ride-sharing experiences, it was evident to me that those half-headed helmets needed my protection, rather than giving me protection.  Most helmets are worn out; their straps are in poor condition, and in some cases one has to hold the helmet with their hands during the entire ride. 

But why does this stand as a national issue today? Because Even though Bangladesh does not have a completely formal multi-tier star-based helmet grading system, helmet safety and standardisation are maintained by BSTI.  According to the law, it is illegal to sell and market any helmet or headgear that does not have BSTI approval. Despite all these legal mandates, uncertified and low-grade helmets are being marketed and sold in the market at a price as low as 150 BDT. A report from the Financial Express showed that after inspection, a notable number of helmets failed both the baseline stress test and impact parameters. Hence, using those helmets would mean risking one’s life without even knowing. 
Pathao first decided to make it mandatory for the riders to offer helmets to their passenger after a passenger died in 2018 after being hit by a BRTC bus. Now, along with making helmets mandatory for passengers, Pathao also offers a monetary fine to the imposed. 
Platforms like Pathao stand at the core of mass transportation in the country. Certain restrictions from the government are not enough to control the casualties; rather, the companies and the individuals have to be aware and responsible from their own stance.