Dhaka, May 2 -- It was midday on a busy Sunday. A speeding Ramzan Paribahan bus from Demra Staff Quarters area suddenly came to a halt opposite to Mouchak Market in Dhaka, with another from the same company stopping abruptly behind it as both appeared to be racing recklessly to pick up more passengers.

At that moment, 45-year-old Synthia Islam, who was standing on the edge of the main road, was forced to jump onto the nearby footpath out of fear. She narrowly escaped being run over. Shaken and unable to speak at first, she eventually shared her harrowing experience.

"Most footpaths in Dhaka are in a dire state and not suitable for pedestrians. On top of that, vehicles drive at reckless speeds-- all the burden falls on pedestrians," Synt...