Faster and sturdier than an electric bicycle, casual and a small enough an engine that a license is merely a formality. Anyone can learn to drive a scooter or moped (电动车).
It’s relatively quiet, efficient and fast. And affordable. A friend recently bought a black and red one, low CC Chinese-brand scooter for RMB 2500 (USD 368). “Liberating and a ton of fun!” he exclaimed, before tossing his man-purse into the scooter’s seat compartment, and put-put-putting off into the night.
But the best thing about the scooter is that unlike a bicycle, you can carry not just one, but two or heck, even three extra passengers.
Whether you’re travelling alone, with a buddy or as a family, a scooter gives you enough plastic casing, leather seating and that much horse-power, to take you places.
June 2010
kirklau
wow… 2500rmb… that a high end bike!!! hahaa
these thing are deadly if you are pedestrian.
they zoom by you without making ANY noise.. can’t even tell if they are coming at you or not.
Stan Ang
They have races for bikes like this China. The Chinese Super Series.
Imagine young Chinese Chicks in leathers leaning corners with this little machine.
Sue Anne
Uncle Stanley, I’ve seen plenty of girls on these scooters, never really seen any good looking ones, much less taking corners in any sexy manner. Haha.
Deeteeny
Do the Chinese export all their crash helmets…?
Sue Anne
Ha, they probably do. I suspect you need one for motorcycles, not scooters or bicycles. To change that culture requires a law, that’s the only way people will act sensibly.
raffaellopantucci
Have you decided to get one? Shooting off it might be tough….
Keith
Many years ago I saw a family of 5 on a bicycle (in Guandong Province): Dad was pedalling, Mum was on the pillion holding a baby; and the two older children were on the bar and the handlebar respectively. Unfortunately, my camera was in my pack at the time and they had disappeared into a cloud of bicycles before I was ready to shoot, so you’ll just have to take my word for it. But I swear I saw them.
Sue Anne
Keith, no worries, I believe you. I saw a family of 4 in the same period while shooting this series. Unfortunately they were too far away for my 35mm.(I’ll get back to your thoughtful Flickr email soon enough, always a pleasure to engage thoughts on photography and the written word!)