'Mini Going For The Rickshaw'

Mini Going For The Rickshaw

By Tony Stark at 08/08/08 21:59

The Olympics may have been a big show for many countries showcasing their finest athletes. But it has also been a big show for commercialization. A lot of store have opened for the sake of the Olympics, although there's quite a number of them that were closed as well, for the sake of the Olympic air.

But it comes differently for European automaker MINI. They're starting to conquer China by storm through their unique style of introducing their product. Their unique way is actually better than having their cars displayed on any Auto Car show.

MINI sent some of their MINI Clubmans to Hong Kong to be converted into a rickshaw, a very famous means of transportation in China. Cycle rickshaws have been in the roads of China for centuries, and it's the first time, and the boldest one, to try to defy the traditional looks of a Chinese rickshaw.

With the number of crowds in China for the Olympics, it's 100 folds the viewership they can get in any motor shows. And what better way of showcasing their product by actually having it a Ride-For-Free.

MINI may have targeted the crowd viewership through the Beijing Olympic crowds, but there's something they want from launching their Clubman as a rickshaw. They wanted to bring good luck for the Olympics. And they wanted to bring good luck to their company.

Today is 08.08.08, a very lucky date for the Chinese indeed. But MINI isn't a Chinese company. But since they are in China, why not try their way of luck. Afterall, there's a saying, "Beat the enemy on their own way."

Fuel Consumption and Environmental Impact of Rickshaw Bans in Dhaka

Most trips in Dhaka are short in distance, usually one to five kilometers. These trips are perfect of Rickshaws. Rickshaws are cheap and popular mode of transport over short distances. Rickshaws are safe, environmentally friendly and do not rely on fossil fuels. Rickshaws support a significant portion of the population, not only the pullers, but also their families in the villages, the mechanics who fix the rickshaws, as well as street hawkers who sell them food. From the raw materials to the finished product the Rickshaw employs some 38 different professions. Action needs to be taken to support the Rickshaw instead of further banning it in Dhaka. The combined profits of all Rickshaws out earn all other passenger transport modes (bus, rail, boats and airlines) combined. In Dhaka alone, Rickshaw pullers combine to earn 20 million taka a month.

We think that over the coming holiday of Eid du Ajah, new Rickshaw bans will be put into action on roads in Dhaka. Eid was used in the past to place new bans on roads in Dhaka. Last Eid many roads were declared Rickshaw free without public support or approval. By banning Rickshaws roads are clogged with increased private car use as well as increased parking by cars. Banning of Rickshaws on major roads increases the transportation costs for commuters. Not only due to longer trips to avoid roads with bans in effect, but also due to actually having to take more expensive forms of transport such as CNG or Taxi, where in the past a Rickshaw would suffice. The environmental impact of banning Rickshaws is obvious because it exchanges a non-motorized form of transport for a motorized form of transport, thus increasing the pollution and harming the environment. Rickshaw bans harm the most vulnerable in society, mainly the sick, poor, women, children and the elderly; generally those who can not afford or do not feel comfortable on other forms of public transport. To ban Rickshaws also hurts small businesses that rely on them as a cheap and reliable form of transporting their goods. Rickshaws are ideal for urban settings because they can transport a relatively large number of passengers while taking up a small portion of the road. In 1998 the data showed that Rickshaws took up 38% of road space while transporting 54% of passengers in Dhaka . The private cars on the other hand, took up 34% of road space while only transporting 9% of the population (1998 DUTP). This data does not include the parking space on roads that cars take up in Dhaka . If included this would further raise the amount of space taken up by private cars. Every year the Rickshaw saves Bangladesh 100 billion taka in environmental damage.

The government makes many efforts to reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka but with no success. Blaming Rickshaws for traffic congestion and subsequently banning them from major roads has not had the desired affect. Traffic is still as bad now as it was before the Rickshaws were banned on major roads. Rickshaws thus can not be seen as the major cause of traffic congestion. Instead one should look towards private cars and private car parking on roads as the major cause of traffic congestion. The space gained by banning Rickshaws is often used for private car parking. The current trend in transport planning reduces the mobility of the majority for the convenience of the minority. The next time a ban on Rickshaws on another road is discussed please take into consideration who is being hurt and who is being helped. For a better transport system in Dhaka we need to create a city wide network of Rickshaw lanes. If this is done Dhaka can reduce its fuel usage dramatically as well its pollution. We ask your help in our fight to keep Dhaka a Rickshaw city. Any information or help is very much appreciated and sought after. I write you this letter to describe the difficulties we are facing and some solutions but they are by no means exhaustive and we look forward to your help and input.

Syed Saiful Alam

Volunteer of Save The Environment Movement

shovan1209@yahoo.com

http://transportbd.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/pro-people-transport-plan/#comment-5

http://www.youtube.com/user/shovan1209

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