Tricycling in the Philippines
July 15, 2009 Posted by Tyler CruzThere are a number of ways to get around in the Philippines, but the most common (and cheapest) form of public transportation are the countless jeepneys and tricycles.
Now, while they’re called tricycles, they’re actually a light motorbike with an attached sidecar. They are everywhere and used as taxis for short-medium distances. For longer distances such as from town to town, you’d probably want to use a jeepney (basically a decorated, elongated jeep version of a bus).
At first glance, the tricycle may seem rather comical and ineffective, but after taking a few rides in them myself and being on the road for a total of over 20 hours watching them, I feel confident to say that they really are a legitimately good way to travel.
They’re surprisingly comfortable, and are covered with light plastic so that when it rains you won’t get wet. The small size of the tricycle gives them an advantage in traffic jams as they can weave in and out of small spots, and they’re very cheap to use.
Two people can easily fit in the side car, but I’ve seen as many as 4 squeeze in before, sometimes with another 1 or 2 on the back of the motorbike.
Below is a video I shot from within the tricycle. At the end of the video it briefly shows the marketplace/downtown Baliuag, Bulacan.
Some locals helping out with directions.
A rear view of a tricycle.
It looks fun to ride in one of them. It also looks like a lot of people use them for means of transportation. Thanks Greg Ellison
It’s dirt cheap!
Definitely looks like a fun way to travel, and very different. It’s funny what you get to experience and learn when traveling abroad.
I had to design a jeepney mascot for a client not that long ago and before that I had no idea what they were. Looking at them now they seem to be a great way to travel and I can see why they’re so popular in the Phillipines.
Thats quite a vacation your taking. Have fun.
looks intresting…thanks for the share, seems you had a great vacation!
thanks for sharing your experience.. hope you enjoyed your stay in my beloved country:)
The roads n bikes there look very similar to the ones here in india! 🙂
Those 2 guys giving you directions look very dodgy like they came up behind you and robbed you later on!
OMG! The last image really shows the size of these things 😀
-Mike
Yes Asian countries love their scooters and motorcycles. It makes sense though…cheap, quick and good for heavy traffic. The Philippines seems like a cool place to visit.
Hahaha. It’s kinda a Filipino brand – tricycles I mean. I’ve grown up riding those. I bet you are used to them by now 😀
Wow, in Philippines is just like in India. In India there are also tricycles instead of taxis.
Kinda sad I wasn’t able to meet you here personally. I was doing internships 5 days a week and just dont have time.
I’ve actually seen this kind of tricycles in my local, I found them quite cheap, if you’re going for a short distance, definitely tricycles is for you because it’s much more cheaper than a taxi. Seems that you’re really enjoying your trip Tyler. Take care!
-Davis-
you are absolutely right. As i m an indian i know the value of trycycling. its gr8 fun + cheap also.
Lol i bet that was whole load of fun right! On the verge of life and death..
Oh man that looks fun. That guy at the end made me laugh.
Definitely looks like a fun way to travel, and very different. It’s funny what you get to experience and learn when traveling abroad.
hmm it makes me think sometimes, the world is such a big place, tricycling it something that i wanted to try, lookin at this post, i think i mite just take it up lol
l don’t belive that. it is very interesting.
Thats quite a vacation your taking. 😉