Ben Thanh Market Cyclo Ride

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I took a ride on the wild side, risking life and property, when I rented a cyclo for 10 minutes. My goal was to pedal around the traffic circle in front of Ben Thanh Market, a very busy traffic hub, without getting killed or injuring others and their property. Notice how many people I pass (ZERO), and how many have to maneuver around me. Yes, I was a safety hazard.

Initially, I asked the cyclo owner to walk the circle to help direct traffic from hitting me. He didn't want to, but ended up hanging at the back, working the brake which, I think, made me into more of a hazard.

Cyclos (rhymes with "sickhose," not how I say it in the video) are the most worthless pieces of transportation in Vietnam. A few people actually use them to move produce and other goods, but it seems the vast majority of cyclos are for tourist entertainment only. They are difficult to pedal and steer, move at the speed of a fast walk, interrupt traffic by taking up precious space, and make tourists into easy robbery targets from faster-moving motorcycles sneaking up from behind. Slowly, but surely, the government is trying to phase out cyclos by outlawing them on certain streets.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Ben Thanh Market
• Vietnam
• Ho Chi Minh City
• Saigon
• Cyclo
• traffic circle
• traffic
• motorcycles
• scooters