Asian motorcycle culture observations

[rastuscat]

Just back from 3 weeks visiting Hong Kong, Vietnam (various cities), Thailand and Singapore.

I paid particular attention to the motorcycle culture, and the contrast between the developed countries, and the developing ones. Singapore is the most developed, Hong Kong is next, Thailand follows that, and Vietnam varies between developed and developing. E.G. Hanoi is lagging Saigon, aka Ho Chi Minh City.

It's interesting to contrast the country which have been at war most recently, being Vietnam, and Singapore, which hasn't wasted money on a war since the Malay conflict back more than 50 years.

I have lots of motorcycle pics from Thailand and Vietnam, but bugger all of HK and Singapore, as those places have all replaced their motorcycle culture with cars, as they have become richer. Mores the pity, as the roads have become more and more congested since the bikes started to disappear. Even in Thailand, which still has a motorcycle focus, the roads are totally blocked with cars for several hours each day.

There's an irony there. I was last in Bangkok 10 years ago, and there were more bikes back then. Most families could only afford a bike, so that was the standard. These days, it appears most families now have cars, or that's the way it appears from the congestion on the road. Just think what space 100 motorcycles need compared to 100 bikes.

On reflection, I think it's a pity that cars are being preferred. I recall buying my first bike in 1982, a CB250N, because cars were beyond most young folki back then. The Japanese imports changed all that in 1985 (ish), and I believe that was the start of the decline in bikes in NZ. Bikes here have become a novelty, a luxury even.

I also looked at the enforcement bikes and culture in Asia. The Popos get cool bikes in some places, but seriously naff ones in others. I wouldn't want to be a motorcycle Popo in any of those places. I even saw an R1200RT-P in Bangkpk, those most of the Popos there were on Honda 650s. Mrs Cat eventually called me a stalker for taking pics of the Popos, so I gave it away.

Interested in whatever your views on the changing culture in developing countries, and particularly in Godzone.

BTW, I finally saw the bike book on NZ bike culture a bloke did a couple of years back. I was flicking through a book in the bargain bin at Te Warehouse. Saw myself. Cringe. Had to get a copy, just for old times sake. It'll be a good read at my funeral.

[TLDV8]

I have lots of motorcycle pics from Thailand and Vietnam, but bugger all of HK and Singapore, as those places have all replaced their motorcycle culture with cars, as they have become richer.

No different to the UK and Europe after the war, motorcycles gave the possibility of transport, just transport nothing else.

[Blackbird]

When we were in Vietnam 4 years ago, bikes were simple people and goods movers. (A couple of photos attached by way of example!). Back in the 90's which was our last time in Bali, there was a bit of a bike culture. Saw a few big ones owned by locals but lots of smaller ones which had been customised to look like race bikes. At one pavement garage, we saw one guy rolling and welding up an expansion chamber from sheet steel. Looked terrific but there probably wasn't much science behind it

[BlackSheepLogic]

There's an irony there. I was last in Bangkok 10 years ago, and there were more bikes back then. Most families could only afford a bike, so that was the standard. These days, it appears most families now have cars, or that's the way it appears from the congestion on the road. Just think what space 100 motorcycles need compared to 100 bikes.

I spent quit a while in Egypt and weeks would go by without seeing a bike. The driving in Egypt was chaotic with very little traffic enforcement. Unbelievable amount of congestion virtually around the clock where bikes could have lessened the congestion for sure. But riding a bike was strongly discouraged due to the very high risks on lawless roads with almost zero policing.

Much as the police get criticized for the traffic enforcement they do, the average Joe Bloggs has no concept of what our roads would be like if it were not for the traffic enforcement.

[swbarnett]

On reflection, I think it's a pity that cars are being preferred. I recall buying my first bike in 1982, a CB250N, because cars were beyond most young folki back then.

My first bike (also in 1982) was a CB125T. I had it for a year before upgrading to a CB250N. For me it was more about parking at Uni.

The Japanese imports changed all that in 1985 (ish), and I believe that was the start of the decline in bikes in NZ.

Definitely. In Auckland I watched bike shop after bike shop go bust over the decade or two after that.

Bikes here have become a novelty, a luxury even.

What we need is for more people to see them as a serious alternative for primary transport. I honestly think the fact that I use a bike more than 99% of the time keeps me sane (although some may disagree with my appraisal of my mental state).

[rastuscat]

Just one that causes me amusement.

[rastuscat]

Motorcycle courier, Hanoi.

Check out the guy on the opposing lane too.

[rastuscat]

Must upload some to YouTube. Took some mad vids too.

[caspernz]

Bit like how in Europe a Merc or Beemer can be just a taxi like Holden or Ford is over here, basic transport changes as affluence improves huh?

Give it another ten years and fewer bikes will be seen in some parts of Asia.

The biker culture book was a good read though, nothing wrong with a snapshot in time...even if the tone of the book was a bit cheesy.

[Smifffy]

A memory that sticks with me was seeing a family of 5 on a 125'ish commuter bike. Dad was driving, with boy about 5 in front of him on the tank, slightly older daughter sitting behind him, and Mum behind her, sitting side saddle, holding a baby in one arm, and an umbrella in the other hand.

[FJRider]

Must upload ....

See your lawyer ... regarding divorce costs first ...

[Ocean1]

China, numbers of bikes varies, lots, depending on local conditions / rules. Flat rural towns usually means almost exclusively bicycles for example. You could drive for days and not see a motorbike, pull into a new town and they'd be everywhere.

Larger cities small bikes and scooters are common simply because they've reached a threshold where more cars simply couldn't move.

In Guilin every teenager has an electric scooter. Extension cords tangled all over the sidewalks.

Biggest bikes I saw on the road were in Beijing, actual Honda 250 cop bikes.

[rastuscat]

In Saigon they are planning to ban motorised vehicles from the central city, except for tourist vehicles, goods service vehicles and the like. They are hoping it will become far more cycle and pedestrian dominated.

[Voltaire]

In Saigon they are planning to ban motorised vehicles from the central city, except for tourist vehicles, goods service vehicles and the like. They are hoping it will become far more cycle and pedestrian dominated.

Saigon ...pedestrian friendly, good luck with that.
Vietnam is an awesome place, rode from Saigon to Hanoi, 3600 km of mayhem and WOW.

[The End]

Many a time did I see people transporting furniture such as tables, chairs and matresses on scooters...

Not to mention the amount of children (<5 years old) not wearing helmets and holding on to mum and dad...

In Saigon they are planning to ban motorised vehicles from the central city, except for tourist vehicles, goods service vehicles and the like. They are hoping it will become far more cycle and pedestrian dominated.

Was told to just walk out and continue at a moderate pace and the scooters will ride around you. Took a few goes to get used to, but after doing it for a while it became like second nature. If you stop or hesitate in the middle of the road, that is when accidents happen.