Cab Shot: Rickshaws in Dhaka
Photo by Fionn Kidney
Dhaka, Bangladesh – where Laskar Korshed, who led this week’s taxi adventure, was born – is known as the rickshaw capital of the world.
Although the city boasts 400,000 of these man-powered taxis, only 85,000 of them are officially licensed, and they’re banned from many parts of town because of traffic congestion.
Despite the heat, the pollution, and regular police abuse, Dhaka’s rickshaw drivers ride all day and earn roughly $3. Sometimes they carry up to four passengers – other times they haul loads twice their body weight. Most of them live until the age of 45.
Similar to New York cabbies, rickshaw drivers are regarded as the lowest form of life on the roads, according to a BBC article.
Despite this disrespect, rickshaws in Dhaka are known for their artwork, which includes everything from portraits of celebrities like Leonardo Di Caprio to the brightly colored silks you see in this photo.
Do you have any great taxi images in your photo collection? Send your cab shots to layne@taxigourmet.com or add them to the Taxi Gourmet Flickr Pool.
Everything dynamic and very positively!
BernieR