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Recently the National Roads Safety Day-2005 was observed and the demand for a special lane for bicycle was raised on this occasion. But such demand should have been met long time ago, if only to improve the city's traffic system as well as its environment.
Bicycle plays a big role in reducing traffic pressure on the ROADS and in cutting the pollution level. In the present context, it would be able to have a better impact on fuel consumption if it could have been popularised. This vehicle would also be able to support the government policy to reduce the commuters' dependency on the slow-driven rickshaws and help it to withdraw those gradually from the street.
Bicycle is a very popular mode of vehicle in many developed countries, even in the advanced automobile manufacturing countries. Japan has successfully popularised bicycle-riding among the majority of its population to reduce its dependency on public transports and private cars. These countries have adopted this strategy for their own benefit. Even they could develop extensive road network for their business benefit, yet they did not do it from the socio-economic perspective.
Although there is no denying the benefit of bicycle riding, this mode of vehicle could not be popularised in the country due to lack of supports from the policymakers. Such supports require special roads or lanes and parking lots for bicycles and security, etc. By only by providing such supports, for which there is no extra cost involvement of the government, it can make the people really enthusiastic about riding bicycles.
Maman Khan
Dilkhusa,Dhaka.
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