A CONTINUING ROLE FOR RICKSHAWS IN DHAKA, BANGLADESH

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has a unique problem in managing large volumes of cycle rickshaw traffic. This problem can only be solved by an integrated approach to urban and transportation planning which respects and is sensitive to the underlying social and economic role of this unique form of affordable door-to-door mode of transportation. This paper examines the reasoning behind some of the necessary measures to ensure that rickshaws can continue to play an important role in the city's life. These measures include an improvement in traffic management and enforcement schemes as well as an upgrading of the current rickshaws design for better passenger safety and to improve the welfare of the drivers.