Cycle rickshaw ( Xich Lo) or Cyclo
As opposed to rickshaws pedaled by a person on foot, cycle rickshaws are human-powered by pedaling. Another type of rickshaw is the auto rickshaw.
Overview
The cycle rickshaw was built in the 1880s and was first used with regularity starting in 1929 in Singapore. Six years later they outnumbered pulled rickshaws. Cycle rickshaws were found in every south and east Asian country by 1950. By the late 1980s there were estimated 4 million cycle rickshaws in the world
The vehicle is generally pedal-driven by a driver
In Vietnam: Cycle rickshaws are known as xích lô (pronounced sick-low, from the French cyclo) in Vietnam. In the past, it was used to carry passenfers and the goods in the local market . But Today it is limited due to busy traffict in the big cities, so the local authority must stop xiclo (cyclo) to transport the goods, it is nowadays liscenced to carry tourists in the Old Quater of Hanoi, Old Town of Hoian, and Hue City.
Many drivers work very hard to pedale the customers in the busy streets, his family live on his earning by this way of life. In Hanoi, those drivers don't mind working hard for their children at school, and at night they share the cheap accommodation for overnight together, don't eat expensive food. Wow, what a hard working life!. So don't forget to give them some small tips for their extra -income.
The cyclo is a three - wheel bicycle taxi that appeared in Vietnam during the French colonial period after a failed attempt to introduce rickshaws. A double seat (for Vietnamese - an average foreigner would find riding with a companion a bit of a squeeze) is supported by the two front wheels, with the driver sitting behind. The design in Ho Chi Minh City differs from the Hanoi variety in that the driver sits much higher (as do the prices!).