Street News Service - Photo Story (Feed 201)

Art on the move  

The Bengal capital Dhaka has the most bicycle rickshaws in the world, there are about 600.000 of them registered, but most likely there are more than a million in total. In some streets rickshaws are banned to prevent traffic chaos. Rickshaw drivers have a tough life: they work at least twelve hours a day, seven days a week and earn on average between 150 to 200 taka (2 to 3 dollars). Despite the low wages, for many families the rickshaw is an important source of income. Most rickshaws are beautifully painted. Even saddles and handle bars are decorated. The rickshaw drivers seem to be in competition to see who drives the most beautiful rickshaw. All the dreams of the drivers are visualised on their vehicles, like rich cities, expensive cars and airplanes, but also film stars and seductive looking women.

Story and pictures by Rokus van den Bout, Straat, the Netherlands, © Street News Service: www.street-papers.org. [Pictures are available in high resolution, please email sns@street-papers.org]