You see a lot of overloaded motorcycles and scooters in China (all of Asia for that matter). Each morning fresh vegetables (and pig carcasses) are delivered to local markets. The food in China is fresh – as in watching your fish being filleted before you take it home fresh.
How much stuff can get packed on two wheels? Only The Fates know. Carrie at My Several Worlds has some photos of in her archive of vehicles of burden in Asia.
Scooters are cheap in China. Not cheap enough that everyone rides one, but cheap enough that the emerging middle class can purchase one to tool around on. I’m not sure why. Most housing estates come complete with a smorgasbord of markets and shops. The public transit system in Shenzhen, China, is one of the best in the nation. Scooter-ownership, and the problems that entails, seem superfluous.
Josh at Far West China recently purchased a motorcycle. I’m occasionally tempted to do the same, but the fact motorcycles are illegal in Shenzhen, China, holds me back. Yes, I could buy one, but only ride it around the estate.
The status of having a vehicle is probably behind the urge to purchase one when it is not necessary.
The art of riding a motorcycle so heavily laden is a pretty impressive one. Balanced loads are surely essential, but good skill on the part of the rider must play a big role as well.
Wow. It’s a wonder he doesn’t tip over with all that stuff on there.
Great capture.
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Thanks for the link, Stevo. Scooters are the primary vehicle of transport in Taiwan. They are also the number one cause of air pollution here. It’s foul to have to sit in traffic or walk along the street breathing in these noxious fumes day in and day out, especially when there is a perfectly good public transportation system in place that can get you anywhere you need to go.
On the other hand, John and I love to travel by motorcycle and have been doing so for years. The difference lies in where we are driving. I won’t get on the bike very often if we’re driving on downtown streets, but if we’re riding along the coast or up in the mountains, there’s no better way to travel.
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Dang! I wonder how long it took him to load it up?
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I can’t believe such a overloaded motorcycles and scooters in China. I never seen in my life. I think he is wonderful man who drive the motorcycle. Pic is really amazing…