The first cycle rickshaws were built in the 1880s, and they were first used widely in 1929 in Singapore. Six years later they outnumbered pulled rickshaws. By 1950 cycle rickshaws were found in every south and east Asian country. By the late 1980s there were an estimated 4 million cycle rickshaws in the world.
What are Those 3 Wheeled Bikes Called?
One of the distinctive modes of travel in Vietnam is the Cyclo. A Cyclo is a bicycle with a seat in front for one or two people to ride ahead of the driver. They are a great way to do some relaxed sightseeing on a low budget. These “cycle rickshaws” are human-powered by pedaling, tho these days, some are motor-assisted.
3 Wheeled Bikes are Cyclos
Cyclos, or “Xích lô” in Vietnamese, are the pedal cabs or pedal cars or Tuk Tuks of Vietnam. Xich Lo’s are known by many other names such as bike taxi, velotaxi, pedicab, bikecab, cyclo, beca, becak, trisikad, sikad, tricycle taxi, trishaw, or hatchback bike.
The vehicle is generally pedal-driven by a driver, though some are equipped with an electric motor to assist the driver.
Three-Wheeled Bicycles
The first cyclos in Asia were seen in Singapore. In 1939 They made only 40 cyclos in Saigon, Vietnam and the next year, the number of Cyclos in Vietnam reached 200. Cyclos soon become popular and become a local style of transport cross Vietnam. Tourism started in Vietnam in early of 90s and Cyclos were the preferred means of travel.
Vietnam’s Three-Wheeled Bike Tours
The Cyclo is usually a tricycle, though some quadracycle models were made, and some bicycles with trailers are configured as cycle rickshaws. Some cycle rickshaws have been motorized with gas or electric motors.
Tour Bike Rides
Foreigners enjoy Cyclo rides because they offer a more peaceful view of the surroundings, especially in places like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, where the traffic is insane. But the number of operators is still strictly regulated. Because of this, it’s estimated that there are fewer than 300 Cyclos left in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, and even fewer in other cities.
This driver quoted me a price of 200,000 vnd ($8) for an hour trip around the city. A short trip to your hotel or a restaurant will probably be less.
Conclusions
The cyclos are a former mode of transportation that is now a tourist attraction. Everyone should try this at least once. They are fun, relaxing and a smooth way to get around a city, like from your hotel to a restaurant and back. The drivers are friendly, and the cost is very reasonable.
Sources
For more information, please see this page about the history of the Cyclo in Vietnam.
Please see this page for more information on other modes of travel in Vietnam.