Auto Rickshaws – or ‘Ricksha‘ in more local parlance – are not just a popular mode of transportation in Pakistan, they are an expression of Pakistaniat. This blog has featured many different rickshaws (explore ATP’s Rickshaw collection here), but none like this one. This is not just about art and design on rickshaws, this is about a total redesign.
Everyone can remember the joys of rickshaw rides, including the high decibels of noise (though reduced by later CNG rickshaws) and the bone crushing bumpy ride. No matter how bad they maybe, they are by far the best way to commute in a busy metropolitan city without any formal mass transit system like subways or elevated trains.
We may lack in avenues of formal funding and support for innovation, but innovative minds are everywhere and are already making their move. Living in today’s Pakistan I have seen first hand the passion in our youth for engineering. One example that made me see the innovative spirit was the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia, another is this video of the so-called ‘VVIP Rickshaw.’ This, too, is innovation at work. Comfortable design, eco-friendly, chic and smart.
This is clearly from Pakistan. No doubt about that. Look at the stickers on the front window or the background conversation and also the Lahore number plate.
Hi All!
Actually this Rickshaw was pimped up by a team of automobile engineers sponsored by A Tv
They have a program similar to MTV Pimp my ride
and this guy i guess his name was Arif, his Rickshaw was given this special treatment
prior to it, this was a simple rickshaw same as 100s of others on the roads of lahore
Hi,
Yes i’ve seen this one in the Expo Lahore i think was managed by Dawn, it was standing near some TV Show stall and they have used the interior stuff from Santro and Cultus.. :) pretty sharp and INTERESTING MOVE.. :)
Regards,
Ryan
Ehtisham, you suggested that by making rickshaw comfortable we will be benefited. One benefit I can think of straightaway is health benefit. Specially reduced risk of spinal cord injury. Or in my case head injury.
Has this rikshaw actually been redesigned in Pakistan by Pakistanis? I have a feeling it’s another imported design – the word ‘auto’ in the back makes me think it might even be Indian since we do not refer to rikshaws as ‘autos’ while Indians do. Does anyone know the details of who designed and manufactured this?