🚴‍♂️ Why Do People in Bangladesh Dislike Bicycles and Cyclists? — The Real Truth Nobody Talks About

 Cycling is one of the healthiest, cheapest, and most eco-friendly ways to travel.

But if you ride a bicycle in Bangladesh, you already know the reality:

• Shopkeepers don’t allow you to park.

• Security guards act strict.

• People give strange looks.

• Footpaths are blocked or off-limits.

• Roads feel unsafe.

• Drivers treat cyclists like they don’t exist.

So the big question is:Why do many people in Bangladesh seem to “hate” bicycles and cyclists?

The answer is deeper than it looks.
It’s not about hating cyclists — it’s about culture, mindset, and infrastructure.

Let’s break it down clearly.

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⭐ 1. Bangladesh Is Not Designed for Bicycles

Unlike Europe or Japan, Bangladesh has:

• No dedicated bicycle lanes

• No bicycle signals

• No proper bicycle parking

• No cycling-friendly road design

So cyclists end up sharing the same chaotic road with:

• Cars

• Buses

• Motorcycles

• Rickshaws

• Autos

As a result, people see cyclists as “extra trouble” instead of part of the traffic system.

Cyclists don’t fit the system, so the system rejects them.

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⭐ 2. Shopkeepers Fear “Losing Customers”

This one is funny but true.

Most shopkeepers think:

“Cycle রাখলে দোকানের সামনে জ্যাম দেখাবে।”
“Customer দাঁড়াতে পারবে না।”
“Owner দেখলে আমাকেই বকা দেবে।”
“Cycle চুরি হলে ঝামেলা হবে।”

Even though a bicycle takes less space than a rickshaw wheel, they prefer pushing cyclists away because it seems “safer” for them.

It’s not personal — it’s their fear of inconvenience.

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⭐ 3. Old-Fashioned Mentality: “Cycle Means Poor”

Many Bangladeshis still believe:

• Car = Smart

• Bike = Modern

• Bicycle = Poor man’s vehicle

This is outdated thinking.

In Europe, cycling is considered elite, healthy, and smart.
But in Bangladesh, some people view it as “lower class.”
This mindset causes people to disrespect cyclists without even realizing it.

⭐ 4. Security Guards Are Afraid of Losing Their Job

Guards in Bangladesh have very strict instructions. They worry that:

• If they allow a cyclist inside,

• If someone complains,

• If a cycle blocks a gate,

• Or if a cycle gets stolen…

Their job can be at risk.

So when a guard says:

“ভাই, সাইকেল নিয়া ঢুকবেন না।”
“এখানে রাখতে পারবেন না।”

He’s not hating you.
He’s just trying to survive under pressure.

⭐ 5. No Public Awareness About Cycling

People don’t know:

• Cycling reduces traffic

• Cycling reduces pollution

• Cycling saves fuel

• Cycling improves health

• Cycling makes a city smarter

Most people only see:
“Cycle জ্যাম করে।”

This lack of awareness makes cyclists look like outsiders.

⭐ 6. Everyone Thinks Cyclists Are “Easy to Push Away”

Let’s be honest:

• Cyclists are alone

• They don’t make noise

• They don’t argue

• Their vehicle is small

So people feel they can easily say:

“ভাই, এখান থেকে যান।”

Cars, bikes, rickshaws— nobody stops them.
But cyclists? Easy target.

This is why people push cyclists away first.

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⭐ But Cyclists Are NOT Wrong

Cycling is:

• Healthy

• Eco-friendly

• Traffic-free

• Cheap

• Pollution-free

• Space-saving

• Future-ready

Cities like Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, and Khulna would be much better if:

• More people cycled

• Roads were designed for cyclists

• Shopkeepers allowed parking

• Security guards supported it

Cyclists are not the problem.
The system is the problem.

⭐ Bangladesh Needs More Cyclists — Not Less

As fuel prices rise and city pollution increases, bicycles are the MOST sustainable option.

If we want a cleaner, smarter, modern Bangladesh…

We must respect cyclists instead of pushing them away.