Dhaka, Oct. 30 -- Navigating Dhaka from Banasree to Sadarghat, Shamim Ahmed struggled for over an hour to find a ride via a ride-sharing app. Phone calls, repeated requests, and long waits yielded nothing, as no driver was willing to make the trip even after offering Tk 700.

Eventually, prioritising safety over cost, he boarded a battery-powered e-bike, paying just Tk 300 -- less than half the app fare.

"From Gulistan to Sadarghat, this stretch feels like a permanent traffic jam," Shamim told bdnews24.com.

"Drivers of fuel-powered vehicles know they cannot make it in under an hour, so no one wants to go. Even when they agree, fares can be double. E-bikes, however, are eager to go -- and cheaper too."

The low cost, easy availability, a...