Dear sir,
On our roads, it is very common to see women sitting sideways on the back of motorbikes. Many do this out of habit or social pressure, even when they are wearing salwar-kameez or pants. But this way of sitting is not safe. When someone sits sideways, the balance of the motorbike shifts to one side. This makes it harder for the rider to control the bike. If the rider brakes suddenly, rides over a bumpy road, or takes a sharp turn, the risk of falling becomes very high. At higher speeds, a sideways passenger can easily lose balance and fall off the bike. The danger becomes even greater when a mother sits sideways while holding a child. In this position, both hands are busy holding the child, so there is no way to hold the bike. Even a small jerk can cause both the mother and the child to fall onto the road, which can lead to serious injury or death.
For women wearing sarees, sitting sideways may sometimes be unavoidable. But when wearing salwar-kameez, jeans, or similar clothing, the safest choice is to sit facing forward, with both legs on either side of the bike, like the rider. This helps keep the body balanced and allows the passenger to hold on properly. It keeps both the rider and the passenger safer. No tradition or social pressure is more important than life. A small change in how we sit on motorbikes can prevent serious accidents and save lives. Safety should always come first.
Ibrahim Khalil
Student, Faculty of Law and Land Administration
Patuakhali Science and Technology University
