Protest leads to beatings and violence. They also have to suffer at the hands of passengers. Haggling and bargaining by passengers is also common, as rates are not fixed. Rickshaw pulling involves hard physical labour. Vehicular pollution is increasing.
Traffic jams are particularly troublesome.
As most are migrants, they have to eat in cheap restaurants that cause many diseases. Tuberculosis, hernia, chest pain, weak eyesight and underweight are quite common. Bad habits like alcoholism also cause ill health. Drinking water and sanitation problems too impinge on their health. Bihar Cycle Rickshaw Act was passed in 1979 for better management of cycle rickshaw and the regulation of issue of licences to the drivers and owners.