Scare on Marine Drive: Accidents, deaths on rise due to rent-a-bikes

Unauthorized rent-a-bike services are rapidly increasing on Cox’s Bazar’s 80-kilometer-long Marine Drive Road, leading to a growing number of accidents and fatalities.

Local residents and officials hold tourists accountable for riding rented motorcycles without valid driving licenses or helmets.

They say that, on average, 12 to 13 bike accidents occur every day on Marine Drive, with both local and foreign tourists, including students, often being victims. Over the past few years, more than 50 people have died on this road. Tourists fear a major disaster if the situation is not brought under control soon.

On-the-ground reports say that numerous motorcycles are being rented out illegally at various points between Kalatoli and the beginning of Marine Drive near Beli Hatchery. Despite the presence of nearby police boxes, legal regulations are largely ignored. Still, unlicensed rent-a-bike operators claim they are simply responding to strong tourist demand.

Most tourists who rent these bikes lack a valid driving license or sufficient riding experience, and they often ride without helmets or any protective gear. Typically, pairs rent the bikes for 4, 6, 8 hours, or even an entire day. None were able to show a driving license, and many didn’t have helmets — yet the bikes were still rented out to them.

Schoolteacher Shah Alam said, “Just a few years ago, there were only one or two rental bikes around the beach and nearby areas. But with high profits and minimal investment, this illegal and unregulated business has mushroomed. A few months back, an Australian tourist died on Marine Drive after renting one of these bikes for a ride. This is how students and tourists keep losing their lives.”

He alleged that sometimes the authorities carry out raids just for show, and within a few days, the businessmen are back to running this dangerous business at full scale.

Tourism businessman Syed Noor said, “Many rent-a-bike owners don’t even check whether the tourist or renter knows how to ride a motorcycle. They rent it out just for the money. Later, accidents happen. Before renting, they do ask if the person has a driving license. If not, they scare them and charge extra.”

Nasir Uddin, a rent-a-bike operator in the Beli Hatchery area, said, “I got into this business because of tourist demand. If the police weren’t aware, it wouldn’t be operating.”

He also said, “The minimum rental is for four hours at a rate of Tk250 per hour. In the morning, when it's less crowded, we sometimes rent for at least two hours. A full-day rental, meaning 12 hours, costs Tk1,800.”

Nasir also claimed that they have an agreement with the police regarding the motorcycles' licenses.

Sujay Biswas, a visitor from Dhaka's Rampura, said, “My wife wanted to explore Marine Drive on a motorcycle. I don’t have a driving license, but I can ride well. So I took the chance and rented one for four hours for Tk1,000.”

While Sujay was wearing a helmet, his wife had no protective headgear.

A doctor from the emergency department of the Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital said, “On this scenic Marine Drive road, there are about 12 to 13 bike accidents every day. Injured people come to us with serious wounds.”

Imran Hossain Sajib, the Additional District Magistrate of Cox’s Bazar, said that despite several eviction drives, the rent-a-bike business continues to operate.

He stated, “Most of the bikes on Marine Drive are privately owned and lack permission for commercial use. We carry out regular operations to seize these illegal bikes.”

He also assured that tougher measures will be taken to put an end to bike rentals.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) and Cox's Bazar police spokesperson Jasim Uddin said, “Rent-a-bikes on Marine Drive are a death trap. We conduct regular operations from the administration’s side, but the business owners continue to operate without following any regulations. Granting permission for such businesses falls under the district administration’s authority. We are taking action against both illegal operators and those using the bikes.”

He added that greater caution will be necessary moving forward.

According to experts, renting out bikes without adequate safety measures poses a serious risk. The threat continues to grow due to illegal rental operations and the negligence of tourists. They are calling for strict action from the authorities and urging travelers to act more responsibly.