Cambodia Government Wants To Preserve Disappearing Rickshaws

PHNOM PENH, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- The Cambodian government is keen to preserve cyclos or rickshaws from disappearing from the capital city, Xinhua news agency reported.

Cyclo -- a popular means of transport during the French colonial rule some 80 years ago -- is a three-wheeled bicycle with the driver perched above the rear wheel and passengers slung between the two front wheels.

"If we look back to the old time when Cambodia was ruled by the French, there were thousands of cyclos in capital Phnom Penh but now there are only about 500 cyclos," Tourism Minister Thong Khon said during a meeting with municipal officials and representatives of the Cyclo Conservation and Careers Association.

Thong said the gradual disappearance of cyclos in the city was due to the rise in taxi and motorised rickshaws.

"As the economy grows and people's living conditions get better, people choose to travel by modern and faster means of transport," he said.

The minister said it was vital that cyclos be retained as a mode of transport in Phnom Penh to attract foreign tourists, who could take rickshaws for sightseeing tours in the city.

As part of its plan to preserve cyclos, the ministry will provide English lessons to drivers.

Prime Minister Hun Sen voiced concerns over the declining number of cyclos in the capital last month.