The Loads We Carry on Bicycles!

Owais Mughal

This post is a collection of photos showing diverse use of bicycles in Pakistan. In many of these photos you will see how laws of physics on simple machines and center of gravity are tested to their limits. The post also shows how bicycle is an important means of mobility and support for many Pakistanis.

The photo above defies our post title as balloons are not necessarily the heavy loads we carry but since ‘air has weight and occupies space’ we are techincally correct with our title. This photo was taken in Rawalpindi on February 9, 2009

Tire Recycling on a Bicycle:

All of the photos in this group are from Rawalpindi and taken at different times in 2009.

In the following photo to the right, note the geometrical symmetry with which the bicycle owner has arranged the tires on his bike.

The Egg Supply Business on a Bicycle:

Common wisdom will not allow a thing as soft as an egg to be transported on a bicycle on bumpy streets of Pakistan but this is one art that Pakistanis have perfected. Note this cycle has especially built iron carriers to place the egg crates. This photo is from Karachi and taken on July 03, 2009 . As once before I want to quote this ‘sher’ of Mir Anees which goes like this:

khayaal-e-Khatir-e-ahbab chahiye har dam
Anees Thes na lag jai aab-ginoN ko

Also see here for one of ATP’s early post on a similar topic.

manji kithay dhawaN:

A person is seen here riding down the famous Islamabad Highway and carrying a traditional bed called ‘char-pai’ (4 legged one) on his bicycle. This photo was taken on August 30, 2009. As soon as I saw this photo it reminded me of this famous Lollywood song of 1974 which has wordings of ‘mein kehRe paase jawaaN, meiN manji kithay dhawaN’ (Where should I go and where should i put my charpai). It never harms to take a short detour from a post so here is this song in the vocals of famous Ahmad Rushdie. The movie name is also manji kithay dhawan.

Home Cleaning Tools on a Bicylce

Note how many home cleaning tools this guy is carrying on the bicycle. I can see vipers, brushes, toilet bowl cleaners etc. The photo is from Rawalpindi and was taken on February 26, 2009 . Once again note how weight has been balanced by hanging tools on both sides of bicycles as well as how brush heads on one side are balanced by viper heads on the other.

This vendor is carrying different colorful household items to the city and looking for buyers. These plates are used to serve ‘roti’ (flat bread). Also visible are few hand drawn fans and boxes to keep roti (flat bread) warm. Photo is from February 9, 2009 and taken by Abid Zia in Rawalpindi.

Flower Business on a Bicycle:

This photo is self explanatory. I do however want to bring to attention the abundance of color in this photo. Note the wooden frame this guy has created to hold flowers. It is visible on top of front wheel. Also note how the vendor has carved a window for himself so that he is able to see infront. The notice on the cycle reads:

Sale Sale. Flowers and Vases from China, with variety are available at cheaper than market rates here. Special offer for the month of Ramzan. One Price – No Bargain

Cement Bag Recycling on a Bicycle

The photos below are from Hayderabad (L) and Multan (R). They show empty cement bags getting collected for recycle. Since Hyderabad and Multan are 600km apart, the photos also show the use of bicycles in this industry is common across the cities of Pakistan. Photo credits belong to Farhan Khan and Hassan Mahmood.

Oil Can Recycling on a Bicycle:

It is amazing to see how recycling industry of different products is thriving on bicycles. We saw several photos of old tire collection and cement bag collection above. This particular photo to the left seems to be an oil bottle/container collection for recycling. The photo was taken in Islamabad on September 9, 2009 by Abid Zia.

Yellow Date Selling on a Bicycle:

The photo below shows a ‘khajji’ (yellow dates) vendor running his business from a bicyle in Multan. The photo is from July 15, 2009 by Hassan Mahmood.

Recycling ‘Ghee’ Canisters on Bicycles:

Tree Trimming on a Bicylce:

This photo is from June 23, 2009. A guy is walking an Islamabad road with tree branches loaded on his bicycle.

Delivering Wholesale Candies and Snacks:

These two photos show bicycles being used to deliver different snacks across the cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Balancing the Bicycle:

Will this gypsy boy be able to balance such voluminous load on his tiny bicycle is anybody’s guess. The photo is from May 04, 2009 in Rawalpindi.

Sometimes things do not go as planned. In the following photo this guy tried to cross the green belt with heavy load of recyclable goods and ended up losing its balance. Photo is from July 14, 2009 in Islamabad. Photographer is Abid Zia.

Raising Flags on a Bicycle:

Whether you want to show your patriotism or any other cause, cycles in Pakistan come handy.

Photo Credits: Abid Zia, Irshad sheikh, Farhan Khan and Jehangir Khan at APP

ATP’s Other Posts on ‘Bicycle’:

1) When bicycle dogs fail in Pakistan
2) Sohrab bicycle and Manufacturing in Pakistan