Note: This article is part of an Ecolocalizer series on the topic of bicycling. This week our writers are discussing the activity and its importance in a number of countries around the world. Please check at the bottom for links to more entries and check throughout the week for additional entries in this series.
In some places in Peru it is just as common to see people bicycling as it is driving cars. Most Peruvians cannot afford cars and for this reason, bicycles provide an excellent, inexpensive means of quick transportation. Peruvians also are masters at modifying their bicycles in creative ways so that they can be used to transport goods and tools for their work and businesses. Fruits, vegetables, construction materials, ice cream, meat, bananas, pets, and countless other items can be transported by bicycle, when a cart has been added. Unlike in the United States though, these aren’t your everyday bicycle carts.
The Most Common Bicycle Adaptation in Peru is Putting a Cart in Front of the Bicycle (and Unlike a Cart in Front of a Horse, this Strategy Works)
While there are other adaptations made to bicycles here, it is most common to see people who have attached large carts to the fronts of their bicycles (see the photo above for an example). One of the things I find most interesting about this adaptation is how when people drive these large, bulky creations, they almost never crash into other objects like cars. People learn how to maneuver these bicycle-carts down narrow streets with extreme accuracy. I also wonder if the drivers of these carts build monster calf muscles. I can’t even imagine bicycling with all of that weight while maintaining vigilance for oncoming traffic. Occasionally, though you do see people walking with their carts, rather than riding with them.
So why do Peruvians put their carts in the front of their bicycles rather than the back? I can only speculate, but I have two major guesses for why this is so. The first is that it helps the owner of the bicycle to make sure that none of her or his goods are being stolen. Theft is a problem in Peru because of the extreme levels of poverty here, and if you can’t see your possessions, then they might be as good as gone. The other reason I might figure for the cart being placed in front is for the personal safety of the bicycle rider in the event of a crash. It should provide some buffer for the rider if they, for example, have a banana-cushion in front of them. But I guess, if it’s bananas, then a crash could also cause a humorous incident of people slipping on the peels! (please, please… I know, your knee must be hurting after all the slapping that’s been going on after reading that past sentence. Also, has anyone ever actually seen someone slip on a banana?) Readers, any idea why the cart is placed in the front? Is it matter of balance or stopping the cart?
Bicycling, Although Practical and Inexpensive, Can Also be Dangerous in Peru
It is more common in some Peruvian cities than others to see people riding and using bicycles. In Peru’s capital city of Lima, for instance, if you don’t know what you are doing you are likely to get killed bicycling. I used to ride my bicycle regularly in Boston, so I feel confident in my assessment of the matter. The aggressive style of driving most Limeños are accustomed to using makes bicycling dangerous, as ad-lib maneuvers are common by drivers trying to get where they want to go as quickly as possible.
In other cities, where the mood is more likely to be calmer (or it least more manageable), you are more likely to see more people bicycling for pleasure and for transportation. In the rainforest city of Iquitos for example, there used to be numerous taxicholos, bicycles modified to have seats for paying passengers. Now, there tend to be more mototaxis, motorcycles adapted to have seats for paying passengers. Probably the reasons for this change include the added speed of motorcycles, their added safety in comparison to bicycles (safety from other vehicles that is), and the advantage provided to the driver, who does not need to use as much strength and energy this way.
I am Planning to Come Visit Peru this Winter, is There Anywhere Where I Can Bicycle?
Yes! Don’t be intimidated by the comments made above. There are many places in Peru where bicycling can be safe and fun. Companies often guide biking tours throughout Peru and there are also countless roads outside of major cities that can make for beautiful and enjoyable rides. Many tour agencies and companies in Peru rent bikes and also lead tours. Some good resources for learning more about bicycle tours in Peru include this website and also the website for Cicloturismo Peru (Cycle touring Peru).
Other Articles in Ecolocalizer’s Bicycling Series
- Forget Sky-high Gas Prices, Biking Beats Them All! by Sam Aola Ooko
- UK: Bike Week 2008 by Pem Charnley
- Bicycle powered water pumps and filtration systems by Nayelli Gonzalez
- Italy’s Two-Wheeled Cities Speed Up Your Life Quality by Eva Pratesi
- In Chiang Mai, Social Attitudes Crush Bicycling Prospects by Masimba Biriwasha
- Google’s Sexy Bicycle Giveaways and Africa’s Versatile Bike Trucks by Sam Aola Ooko
- South Korean Bicycle Ninjas Do Battle Against Asthma by Gavin Hudson
- Of Course Cycling in Australia is Healthy, But What To Do With the Cars? by Ross Kendall
- Cheer up! Bicycling in Italy is a Daily Adventure by Eva Pratesi
- If You Want a Blissful Sex Life, Don’t Ride a Bike! by Sam Aola Ooko
- Bicycling in Peru: An Art of Adaptation by Levi Novey
Photo Credit: Levi T. Novey ©
I assume that the reason the carts are in front of the riders is for the ease of, like the writer mentioned, steering through narrow streets. It may be easier to look ahead of you instead of behind for navigation purposes.
I’m peruvian and “triciclos” (the one in the photograph) are widely used in Peru, specially for people selling fruit and recyclers.
You consider byciclyng in Peru dangerous due to the aggresive style driving of people here… some of them are careless. I give you the reason. But you have to go to Panama City then! There you will learn what agressive drivers are! hahaha … it’s crazy!.
Congrats for the site.
Regards
I think the reason behind them putting the carts in the front is simple mechanical ease. To get a cart on there, all you have to do is lengthen the axle, weld on some supports, and add another wheel; you don’t have to worry about the gears and etc present in the back of the bike.
This is an interesting article and would benefit
from more photos of the adaptations alluded to
in it.
Can you imagine pedaling with 2 wheels BEHIND you?? Duh,, it is almost impossible. A few weeks ago, my man who sells bread in front of my house, was hit by a car. The box of bread in front of his bike was banged up, but he was fine, and so was our bread! My city, Piura, is very conducive to biking. I prefer to walk, but my wife is lazy and mostly uses the mototaxis, which are very fuel efficient. We also have men who sell fish who use the adopted bikes, but, I still love the donkey carts best of all!
My best guess is, like what was mentioned before, mechanical ease. Not only for adaptation but for practical use. Putting wight in front of you greatly reduces drag. You are no longer pulling but rather pushing, which makes it a lot easier to maneuver.
This year bicycle sales in the USA have increased greater than any other year in 30 years.
The United States will soon need to take a page from our Southern Neighbors and learn to be more creative in our traveling needs.
Just
http://JustBicycles.com
This article makes me think of when I was in Ghana and several of my compadres would go out in the morning just to run (for exercise). The Ghanaians thought it was insane–why would anyone run for fun?
I wonder what Peruvians would think of people in the U.S. who train for bike races or ride bikes for exercise . . .
En Costa Rica apenas se están dando los primeros pasos para la ciclovías. No obstante somo un país con gran arraigo en el ciclismo. A nivel recreativo estaremos en los primros lugares. Para transporte vamos muy lentos.
En salud la bici no tiene igual, tengo 67 años y hago más de 150 Kilómentros por semana. No tengo ningún padecimiento y tengo una vida feliz.
I believe a good reason why the cart is on the front is so drivetrain can be somewhat compact. The chain does not have to reach too far, it only reaches the rear wheel, like any other bike. It keeps the mechanics simple and reliable The steering is done on the front two wheels, which makes it stable, as the front takes the bigest stress in turns. Notice that in the picture above, the chainrings do not have a chain attached. It does not look like the owners of this cart ever pedal it. Most likely they push it into a warehouse overnight. i am originally from Peru. As I remember, there is also a foot break in those tricycles, which you can see just above the pedal in the picture. Some of those bike couriers think they are tough riding on their fixies. Try riding on a fixie that weighs 200 lbs. Now that’s tough.
If you’re into mountain biking, I highly recommend the Maras-Moray-Salinas mountain biking trip – not only is it a great ride, but you also get to see ruins and thousand-year-old salt pits!
Wait… Bicycles have TWO wheels? What are the other two on the sides of my bike?
where can i get a cart like the one shown above full of fruit? i am sick of property tax and all the BS of suburban life in america. the top and sides would need to be waterproof. i have -15 sleeping bag. please advise asap.
Work bikes are manufactured all over the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freight_bicycle
When we were working in Mexico we saw yellow Mercurio work bikes everywhere on the streets; they were very solidly built, and only cost a few hundred dollars.