The advantages of rickshaws

Given the crowded conditions of Dhaka's roads, when total trip time is considered, motorized transports have little advantage in speed over non-motorized. In addition, unlike motorized vehicles, when rickshaws are caught in traffic jams they emit no air pollution, waste no fuel, and make no noise.
Rickshaws provide the most efficient way to move people or goods to a short to medium distance. According to UN-ESCAP, 70% of travel in Dhaka are under 2 kilometers. For such travels, walking, cycling, and rickshaws are very appropriate, as they waste no fuel, create no air or noise pollution, and take very little time. It is a waste to use a car for such a short distance, and the waiting time for buses makes the trip potentially longer than it would by rickshaw or other means.
The best transport for women, small children and the elderly is rickshaws. When rickshaws are banned, it is these groups who suffer the most. In addition, many poor people earn their living by pedalling rickshaws.
This benefits not only the pullers, but their families as a whole. One survey shows that 5 million people throughout the country are dependent on rickshaws for their livelihood.