Ode to Dad - Motorbikes in Asia

A lot of photos you see in Asia have motorbikes in them. Since we arrived in Nepal in April the standard of vehicles, riders and driving has amazed us. The Motorbike is the work-horse of Asia. Moving from A to B, carrying equipment, ferrying people, in all weathers the motorbikes and scooters are transformed to meet the needs of the people.Rush hour in Saigon, every road was the same.

Getting to work is easier on a bike. Nipping in and out of traffic, through the narrow streets or along the footpaths is quicker with only two wheels. What if you could take your work to you bike. You could walk to work, take you work home or even take your work on holiday. In the photo below, this food vendor has attached a kitchen. Not only can he take his work anywhere but if he gets hungry, hey presto !
Many bikes are 'adapted' for carrying equipment and people either on the side or behind

Passengers, what's the point of a bike if you can't share it. A trip to the shops or to visit friends can be enjoyed more when you are accompanied. Ensure your pillion is secure and properly protected. India bikers have adapted their bikes with protective bars. Wouldn't want the wife's Saree caught in the spokes or chain. Also note the crash bars on the front. This sample is the small set, expanding the bars can assist with saving limbs from oncoming bikes, cars, carts and trucks, carrying shopping or simply taking out the opposition.
Crash bars and wheel guards are essential, the grab rail at the back is for tying things down.

Picking up the wife from the hairdressers, don't even offer her a helmet to ruin the new ponytail. Anyway, if you don't own the bike, you can't get hurt if you fall off.
How many people in this picture? Look closely.

And don't forget the kids. It's not just adults who should enjoy a ride on the back or front of a bike. Children can have as much fun. Better still, why not take the family. Nursing a child, no problem, the pets can come also. Again with the helmets, it's not really necessary as long as the owner has one. Although the bike below is bigger so it's safer if everyone wears a helmet, baby junior on the front doesn't count cause he's not big enough to fall off.

This is normal, maximum we saw on a scooter was 5.

Parking your bike is never a problem. Simply stop, put the stand down and dismount. It can be useful to other people if you move to the side of the road/pavement. Other bikes may park beside you in congested areas, or behind you, or both. In moving their bike to get to yours, do not drop it, the results could be funny only to on lookers.
Two rows of bikes, very tightly parked in Kathmandu,
I was so tempted to knock the first one......

I thought I better mention about safety. Protecting the head is important on a motorbike. Even if going slowly. The people of Saigon above use scarves to protect themselves from the dust and dirt. In Laos the sun is very strong so a different kind of protection is needed.
This is a small umbrella, when it rains the Big table unmbrellas can be seen.

If you find yourself on a bike in any Asian country do take care. Use your horn, the pavements and your small size to your advantage. Take precautions from the dust and sun and if it all gets too much, just take a break. Some people can sleep anywhere.