12.04.2008

Baby Bikes and Rickety Rickshaws

This is a post I have been thinking about for some time that may only be of interest to people like unto and/or only me. It relates to two- and three-wheeled vehicles. I have observed numerous kinds of "custom rides" here, many of which were humbly welded together with scrap metal. You always see new or different styles and it seems anything is street legal. What is unfortunate about this post is that I don't have any good pictures that depict the number and demographics of people that generally ride these types of vehicles. Three to five people on a scooter or motorcycle is not uncommon. Babies and toddlers often stand on the front or are sandwiched in between two adults holding on tightly and cheerfully. Carseats are no where to be found. Grandma Fly would be flipping a brick, to say the least. Being interested in motorcycles and staring at people has made me curious about the wheels around me.

This first photo is of one of many dealerships lined up right next to one another in Yangshuo. However, the variety was lacking. About 95% of all motorcycles here are 125cc, the rest are maybe 150 or 250. That's the best I've seen. Like many things in China, there's not a whole lot of variety when it comes to motorcycles.



This is one of the only "cruiser" type bikes I've ever seen here. Most are just standards, but this is still just a 150cc.

The brands written on the bikes are often hilarious or just random letters slapped together. Sometimes I think even most of the motorcycles are knock-offs. I loved these brands, Honest and Yamasaki (must be a cross breed between Yamaha and Kawasaki).



Lots of little electric scooters and mini-mopeds too.

Rickshaws are the most common means of transporting goods (and often people) around town. They serve as produce trucks, garbage trucks, dump trucks, charcoal trucks, taxis, and all kinds of other uses. Hard top, soft top, mini-van style, and more!

8 comments:

kylie said...

hahaha! i love this post! soooo truuuuue. great pictures too chase and meg, bravo.

Rich - Deb said...

Cool stuff! We should do our next 'boys only' ride in China!!!! I sure missed it this year. Gotta get queued up for next year. I hear they're talking about up to Canada and West over a fairy and other cool, beautiful stuff! Maybe you guys should do a ride before returning???!! Miss ya, have fun, Dad Williams

Rich - Deb said...

Meant 'ferry', so don't get any weird ideas...... :)

Rich - Deb said...

Loved the "baby in a basket" concept. Is it February yet so I can hug you guys??? :)

kylie said...

i think you are clever too. i will post something more uplifting, but only if you post something :) heehee jk i'll probably do one anyway. i'm bored sometimes. sorry if you hear me and spence singing rudolph the red nosed reindeer, we realized we don't know all the words and feel disturbed by that.

Anonymous said...

After I saw this pictures I found that you are very curious about that common things in our eyes.Maybe one day,I come to America,I would also have the same feeling as you.I think if I were you,I must did the same things such as taking photoes,visiting parks and so on.
This is my first time to visit your blog,I was moved when I saw your blog,what's more,I am attracted by the light music,it's so goood!
You are a good teach >
Wish you have a happy journey ahd enjoying your travel. Jungle

Anonymous said...

I know the date on the blogs are January's although I read these when you posted them but I didn't take time to jot down anything because I wanted to read everything that you sent.so now i'm backtracking. You have found my transportation. The red trailer being pulled by a motorcycle. Grandpa could put my power chair with me on it and he could drive the motorcycle.Then I could get out more.

Anonymous said...

I know the date on the blogs are January's although I read these when you posted them but I didn't take time to jot down anything because I wanted to read everything that you sent.so now i'm backtracking. You have found my transportation. The red trailer being pulled by a motorcycle. Grandpa could put my power chair with me on it and he could drive the motorcycle.Then I could get out more.