DESIGN DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDIGENOUS TRICYCLE RICKSHAW
B: Tricycle for Physically challenged users
2.1 Tricycle rickshaw as a means of localized transportation
2.1.2 Tricycle rickshaw in global situation
upholstered in black, deep-cushioned leather and the seat and the underside of the cushion are covered in a blue and white striped cotton fabric. Underneath the seat there is a storage compartment. The floor of the chair is lined with an early type of black coloured linoleum with a slightly upraised decoration, the center of which is a drain hole with a brass surround. The hood consist of a frame of four bamboo strips with steel fitting and bollards over which an oilskin cover is stretched. The material was impregnated with linseed oil to repeal water and pigment for colour. The black hood is edged with 10mm cotton braid while the two shafts are covered in black lacquerware and brass trim.
These have largely replaced less efficient hand-pulled rickshaws. Cycle rickshaws are known by various different names in different regions. Below is a list -
In Bangladesh and India, it is known as Cycle rickshaw, Fig. 2.6 (www.answer.com, Dec, 2006) and Fig. 2.7(Das A K);
In Cambodia and Vietnam, it is known as Cyclo (pronounced see-clo), Fig. 2.8 (www.answer.com, Dec, 2006);
In Indonesia, it is known as Becak ("bay chak"), Fig. 2.9 (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/tricycle, Dec, 2006) and Fig. 2.10 (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/tricycle, Dec, 2006);
In Malaysia, Singapore and Myanmar, it is known as Trishaw, Fig. 2.11 (http://minyos.its.rmit.edu.au), Fig. 2.12 (p 40, http://minyos.its.rmit.edu.au), Fig. 2.13 (p 40, www.answer.com, Dec, 2006) and Fig. 2. 16 (p 40, http://thewonderingeye.co.uk, Dec, 2006);
In Myanmar, it is also known as Saiker (from side car), Fig. 2.14 (p 40, www.yangonow.com, Dec, 2006 and Fig. 2.15 (p 40, www.yangonow.com);
In the Philippines, it is known as Tricycle; and
In Thailand, it is known as Samlor (lit. "three wheels"), Fig. 2.17 (p 40, http://frangipani.com/huahin/samlor.htm, Dec, 2006) and Fig. 2.18 (p 40 http://frangipani.com/huahin/samlor.htm, Dec, 2006).
Fig. 2.6 Rickshaws in Dhaka, Bangladesh Fig. 2.7 Rickshaw in Agartala, India
Fig. 2.8 Cyclo in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Fig. 2.9 Becak of Indonesia
Fig. 2.12 Malaysian Trishaw (tadpole) Fig. 2.13 Trishaws in Singapore
Fig. 2.14 Saiker in Yangon, Myanmar
Fig. 2.16 Trishaw in Mandalay Fig. 2.17 Samlor of Thailand
Fig. 2.18 Samlor Puang Kang of Thailand Fig. 2.15 New style Saiker to seat two
persons
Comparisons of different tricycles from South East Asia shows that -
In Cambodia and Vietnam, the cyclo is a tricycle with passengers’ seat at the front over the axle connecting the two wheels and rickshaw puller pedal from behind.
In India and Bangladesh, cycle rickshaw has the puller pedaling at the front and the passengers seat at the rear facing front.
In Thailand, samlor has two versions. One is almost similar to rickshaw available in India and the other is a bicycle with an attached side car.
In Malaysia, trishaw in use is of three varieties. In one variation, it is like an Indian rickshaw and in another version, it is same as a cyclo in Combodia and Vietnam and the third variation is a bicycle with a side car.
In Singapore and Mandalay, trishaw is a bicycle with an attached side car.
In Yangon, Myanmar, a Saikar is a bicycle with an attached side car.
In Indonesia, becak is same as cyclo, a tricycle with passengers’ seat at the front over the axle connecting the two wheels and rickshaw puller pedal from behind.
In The Philippines, it is known as tricycle.
In addition to the transporting passenger in the above tricycle rickshaws, these are also used for transporting goods and vending various items. In many cases, these are specifically modified to suit the use.
In China, hands pulled rickshaws were banned after the Communist takeover in 1949.
However Chinese manufacturers are making every type of cycle rickshaw available anywhere in the world to cater to all types of clients abroad and within the country.
However, technologically these are not as sophisticated as the rickshaws manufactured in the west. But Chinese made rickshaws are comparatively of lower cost.
2.1.2.2 Co-existence of hand pulled rickshaw and tricycle rickshaw in India As mentioned earlier in subsection 2.1.1 p 35, hand pulled rickshaws are in use in Kolkata from 1880 and then on still continue in Kolkata even after its prohibition by the government (Fig. 2.3, p 37). A runner draws a two-wheeled cart with a capacity to seat two persons. The rickshaw driver union resisted prohibition unless the rickshaw pullers are provided with alternative avocation to sustain their family.
Tricycle rickshaw has evolved over the decades in India and has got a form in delta configuration, is more or less similar all over the country. Old generation of rickshaw had foldable canopy made of cane and bamboo. The passengers are protected from sun and rain but the puller is exposed to the elements of nature. The main frame has been used to make many utility variations to suit various local needs from time to time.
2.1.2.3 Tricycle rickshaw and its derivatives and their use
Other use of Tricycle, if considered as variations of rickshaw exists in different forms.
These are closed box type tricycle van various items including bakery products, fast moving consumer goods (Fig. 2.19 & 2.20, Das A K), open bed tricycle delivery van used for LPG cylinders (Fig. 2.21, Das A K), school children carrying van (Fig. 2.22, Das A K), passenger carrying van (Fig. 2.23, Das A K), garbage disposal van (Fig. 2.24, Das A K), vending cart (Fig. 2.25, Das A K) etc.
Fig. 2.19 Closed box type delivery van Fig. 2.20 Closed box type delivery van
Delta configuration Tadpole configuration
Fig. 2.21 Open bed delivery van Fig. 2.22 Tricycle school van
Fig. 2.23 Tricycle passenger van Fig. 2.24 Tricycle garbage disposal van
Fig. 2.25 Tricycle based vending cart