RETURN OF THE RICKSHAWS

OBSERVATION: Hong Kong’s venerable rickshaws have almost completely vanished, despite their cultural and historical significance.

SOLUTION: Bring back the rickshaws by issuing new licenses and providing dedicated areas of travel along the harbourfront and other pedestrianized areas.

Can rickshaws be rescued before they disappear into oblivion?

Hong Kong’s rickshaws and their owners are a dying breed. In 1924, it was estimated that almost 3,500 rickshaws were in use throughout the territory, which have now dwindled to the last remaining license holder since the Government stopped issuing licenses in the 1970s.

  • Could the soon-to-be-extinct rickshaw industry be revived along the frontage of Victoria Harbour and other pedestrianized areas of Hong Kong?
  • While patrons of a rickshaw ride would likely be predominantly tourists, could this humble wheeled contraption also become a viable resident transport option for short hops along the flat harbourfront areas, especially if a new harbourfront pedestrian promenade could be developed?
  • Could new “pullers” hoping to get into shape be recruited as new license holders? Why jog along the harbourfront to get into shape when you could pull a rickshaw, make money, expand your social network, and get a better cardio workout?
  • Could a new line of high-performance rickshaws be created with ball-bearings, minimizing friction and maximizing speed?

Let’s get creative:

  • Could new rickshaw races through challenging obstacle courses be created to rival the annual Dragonboating races?
  • Could rickshaws be interfaced with computer / geocaching games where teams compete to collect points from various locations to bridge computer gaming with physical fitness?
  • What about a new “Hong Kong Challenge” — could a new ultramarathon team event be devised which incorporates Dragonboating, Rickshaw Pulling, Bun Tower Scrambling, and other endurance activities that are specific to Hong Kong, while celebrating the city’s unique characteristics, and attracting sporting enthusiasts from around the world?

While the film industry will always have a need for the occasional rickshaw for various productions, are there other possibilities to help keep the rickshaw from disappearing forever like many other aspects of Hong Kong’s vanishing heritage?