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An old rickshaw tricycle near the Blue Mansion, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia 02 Sep 2016
About this photo
Rickshaws have been used as a means of short-term transportation for centuries, particularly in Asia. The word rickshaw comes from the Japanese word jinrikisha (人力車, 人 jin meaning human, 力 riki meanings power or force and 車 sha meaning vehicle) and means "human-powered vehicle". Given this, it will come as no surprise to learn that the first rickshaws were pulled by people, on foot, and later by animals such as cows or horses. Thankfully, since then things have changed a little. Today, rickshaws are pedal-powered, like this one, are often used by tourists. Auto rickshaws, or tuk tuks, are also popular.
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