Only safe helmets should be marketed

It is quite concerning that a significant number of helmets sold in our country do not provide adequate protection for motorcycle riders. According to recent Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) data, 12 out of 49 helmet samples tested over the past six months failed to meet quality standards. That means nearly one in four helmets tested was substandard. The situation reflects a gap in our road safety enforcement and calls for urgent action from the authorities.

Reportedly, helmets are being sold for as little as Tk 150 in Dhaka. While many are of poor quality, some are little more than plastic caps with a thin fabric lining. Some bikers and ride-sharing drivers reportedly use such helmets only to avoid fines. Imported helmets are required to pass BSTI safety tests before being marketed, and most imported helmets also carry BSTI certification marks. How can such substandard products be openly sold then? This raises serious questions about market monitoring and enforcement of safety standards.

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Motorcycles are reportedly involved in a large number of road crashes and fatalities across the country. According to the Road Safety Foundation (RSF), at least 15,712 people were killed and thousands of others were injured in 16,065 incidents involving motorcycles across the country between January 2020 and July 2026. The organisation also found that the use of substandard helmets was a major factor in motorcycle crash-related deaths, and that quality helmets could reduce the risk of death in a crash by 48 percent. However, there seems to be a serious lack of awareness among riders and the authorities about the need for properly protective helmets.

Only strong oversight in this regard can change the situation. The authorities must find out how substandard helmets are entering the market and whether certified products are being properly monitored. Regular market inspections are necessary, while importers, manufacturers and sellers found to be violating safety standards should face action. BSTI should make test results and lists of approved products easily accessible to consumers. Police and other enforcement agencies should also check whether helmets meet the required safety standards, while awareness campaigns should be conducted to make riders understand why quality matters. By ensuring that every motorcycle rider wears a proper protective helmet, a significant number of preventable road crash deaths and injuries can be avoided.