Once a common sight on the main roads and narrow lanes of Cox’s Bazar, traditional pedal rickshaws are now disappearing, pushed out by the rapid tide of mechanization and modernization.
These manually powered rickshaws were once the lifeline of countless hardworking families. Whether in villages or towns, pedal rickshaws served as a vital mode of transport for decades. For many residents, the familiar jingling of rickshaw bells still echoes in memory, a nostalgic reminder of the city’s simpler days.
However, in today’s fast-paced world, electric and motorized alternatives have gradually replaced muscle power. A field visit across different parts of Cox’s Bazar reveals that battery-operated electric auto-rickshaws have almost entirely replaced pedalrickshaws.
While these new vehicles offer greater speed and convenience, the slow disappearance of pedal rickshaws marks the end of an era — one where human endurance and simplicity shaped the rhythm of daily life.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Hussain Shetu
