Scooters are designed to carry a rider and a pillion. But the capacity is even more! We stretch the machine's and our wits limits to the maximum! This is not a number at all, not even full counting fingers on one hand. I've seen a family of 6 [2+4] on one two wheeler. Here is a pic I captured for this sake last evening. If there is another one, it will be on the lady's lap. This family is waiting at the traffic signal junction while the father-son combine looks to cross over to the right.
And this afternoon, this is us, then the 1+3 combine, pictured by #3 under #1's instruction and design. In bright sunshine!
The fines here for doing so would be Really high. A great way to all of you getting there at the same time!
The scooters are designed for two, licensed also for the same number of people that can travel. But almost everyone has a family with kids and since there is no other affordable and convenient way for them to travel, it is accepted by the authorities as long as it is kids. But some college going kids travel 3 and they are caught and fined, provided a cop is there.
I've seen photos of people carrying enormous burdens on those motorcycles! I don't think I am coordinated enough to do an empty one's navigation justice, let alone one with all the excess baggage! LOL The law issue is ironic. Here, the laws would likely be in favor of parents of small children being charged for endangering minors. Adults overloading a bike, while fined, would not receive as stiff a penalty since they are all "responsible adults" in the eyes of the law.
I had an e-mail fwd from a friend that had a lovely collection of pictures from various countries taking an assortment of things, people and whatnot esp. on two-wheelers. I'll see if I can locate it in my mailbox and copy them here. It's absolutely wonderful to see.
this is interesting. Around here you see one petite suburban mom in a huge SUV all day long.
While I applaud the excellent use of limited resources I have to worry that there is a cost in safety.
I would worry about the safety too. In that first shot the man has on a helmet and they others do not. Maybe there are not many large vehicles on the road too? If there are only cycles on the road then it would be safer.
Since we grow up doing this circus, esp. this generation, it appears risky to the onlookers. But the speed they go is just about 20-25 mph, at which speed, there is some 'reaction time' in case of avoidable confusions. And there is no place to go beyond even 50mph. Yes, at times esp. in the busy market area, there will not be much space around each vehicle! Choc-a-bloc!! Mysore is getting worse, but still better compared to Bangalore -traffic jams and blocks, congestions... an everyday affair. A big headache to everybody. There is no control in growth of vehicles on the road. At that time, I think it was a Sunday and there was less traffic. So you see lot of open space there.
How in the world do the keep their balance? Me thinks a horse and buggy would do much better...where do they carry what they buy at market and travel in such a manner??
"eyes"
I'm glad you're not in danger, Dinu. I like your picture!
Our laws would find so many flaws in that I cannot begin to tell you. If that happened in Frederick MD, the parents would be jailed and likely the children given to social services for temporary placement. And that is not to mention the lack of wearing a helmet and travelling "too far" under the posted speed limits!
Great photos as always.
Danger... risk.... they are always there!! We manouvere between them!! LOL. It is a skill! On motorcycles as in that above picture, it is not possible - or I should say not easy. But on scooters, we keep the bag in the leg space beween the feet. I had taken a picture of my scooter with my bag some time back - will search if it is there. It was at a plant nursery and I had taken plants home. Last week I bought 3 plants in pots and that filled the space. And behind me my DW and DD were sitting! It is a circus, I tell you!
Dinu
