Two Wheelers

Two Wheelers

Vehicles are made to facilitate the movement of people. The more technology is developed, the more types of them. Functions of each are set to fit the common conditions in every local area. There are also traditional ones, of course. In the past, people didn’t travel using aircraft because they didn’t need to go far away.  It is same reasons to answer why we can find helicopter, submarine, tank (not for public use), etc. Everybody knows bike (the abbreviation for either bicycle or motorcycle). I’m going to use that word to refer motorcycle here. Both of India and Indonesia are known as countries with high density of population. No doubt, it’s popular.  I’d like to let you know how funny Salam comment was, he compared bikes in India to Indonesia.

“Why all bikes in Indonesia are almost like that?” “Like what?” “Like ojek.”

“Ojek ‘motorcycle taxis’ began appearing in Jakarta after becak were banned in 1994. Ojek service began as a people’s initiative to provide a transportation options for people who used to use becak from main roads into housing complexes. There is no government licensing for or control over ojek. By law all motorcycle passengers should wear helmets, so ojek drivers should have a spare for you to wear. Ojek tend to congregate at t-junctions on main roads and near smaller roads that are not serviced by bus routes. Ladies have a careful balancing act if wearing a dress and must sit sidewise on the back of the vehicle. Bargain before you get on – ask a local what the price should be first.” (Wikipedia) Hahaha. I was surprised by his comment. Just heard something like that. Like ojek refers to bike called ‘motor bebek’. If you figure it out, you will know why this type of bike has that name. Bebek is Indonesian of English word duck. Yup, it’s like a duck! I searched in Wikipedia, it’s an underbone.

(Bike he called ojek. The duck.)

“An underbone is a small motorcycle built on a frame consisting mostly of one large diameter tubular component. The stylistic difference between a motorcycle and an underbone is considerable and they are sometimes known as “step throughs” or even marketed as scooters in the West.  The fuel tank position and the open-frame design, along with the splash guards often fitted, give the underbone an appearance similar to a scooter, however the wheels, engine position, and power transmission are based on the design of conventional motorcycles. Underbones are popular worldwide, but in East Asia and South East Asian countries in particular they dominate the low cost market segment with their scooter-like ease of use, their appeal to both sexes, and their motorcycle-like dependable handling properties.” (read it full)

As comparison, here i show you bike for man in India that made him said so.

(Bajaj Pulsar)

Nah, why Indonesians mostly choose an underbone (I have to use trusted data to show, but can’t find any yet ? As i said, its function is fit to local condition. Marketed for low cost market segment which is a big part of Indonesians. Don’t think you can’t find such big bikes in Indonesia. There are. Used especially by youth. About bike for ladies, it’s just the same in India and Indonesia: cute scooter.

Conclusion: Ojek is only a creative way of utilizing vehicle to gain income, but an underbone isn’t ojek. Hahaha.

This writing have been published in www.dhienarsalam.wordpress.com