Cyclo was invented in Cambodia by an unknown Frenchman in 1936. Few years after the invention, Cyclo became the trend of transportation and was even exported to Vietnam. It has been around for quite some time, the only time where Cyclo did not exist was during the Khmer Rouge. The 1999 Research based on numbers of Cyclo in Cambodia stated that there were more than 9000 Cyclos, but the latest 2008 Research stated that there were less than 3000 Cyclos left, and as of now, we do not know the exact number, but I bet it has once again, massively gone down. It is said by the citizens that Cyclos are too old for them, that Cyclos aren't modern enough and definitely not as convenient as Tuktuks or Motordubs. There is one kool fact most of us probably have not heard of, Cyclos drivers are actually farmers, after harvesting their crops, they will work as a Cyclo driver as a part time job.
Courtesy for the above: Youtube
I felt very bad when I heard the Cyclo drivers themselves said that Cyclos might get extinct, and it will be incredibly hard to bring them back up. So now that we still have some left, there should be more and more organizations coming in to lend these Cyclo drivers a hand and get them out of the near-extinct zone. I honestly do remember a lot of memories from my childhood, I can’t say it was awesomeee and very niiice, what I can say is that there were many things happening around me. As I grow older, these tiny pieces of memories somehow has turned from nothing to something pretty special to me; I’m sure it has happened to all of us. Who knew riding a Cyclo with my grandma to Central Market will be special when it was done? Those things were just things we do in our daily lives and suddenly we don't get to do it anymore, that’s when you’ll realize that what you were doing was special. It can be seen in two different angles, the first one is that us humans would not realize anything at all when we still have or own it, but the moment when it’s gone, that’s when we’ll start our tantrums and regrets and sorrys. The second one is that us humans would still not appreciate things, but in a good way, and the moment we start appreciating and realizing what’s actually happened and what we have in hand now, it will definitely lead to a happy ending.
Hongyy’s Business/Organization Mode On
There are quite a few organizations which helps and encourages Cyclo drivers, but I think we can do more for them. They have been serving us for nearly a century, despite whatever happened during throughout the years, they and we have still kept it alive. But now that it is said to be extinct pretty soon, we better move quick and start doing what they deserve for all the hardworks they’ve done for us. I’m not bragging or saying that I’m kindhearted or whatsoever, but I’ve always liked the idea of sharing and giving back. In this case, in order to give back, all we have to do is to encourage farmers or people from the provinces to become Cyclo drivers. It does not pay as much as Tuktuks, but Cyclos have more history and culture behind, it’s something which the tourists will definitely know that it’s from Cambodia.
In conclusion, I think the Cyclo drivers have been giving as a lot indirectly, while us, on the other hand, has not done much in return for them. This article was also written to thanks all the hardworking Cyclo drivers out there, for the effort, for all the great meanings they have given to our culture. I wish there would be more and more organizations to come and help the Cyclo drivers, because you never know, they could be extinct faster than you expect.
This article was supposed to end like the above, but not after I’ve just experienced riding a Cyclo just few hours ago. It was pretty fun, I felt what I’ve never felt for many years, the Cyclo does not even fit me anymore, time sure went like a rocket. I was surprised by myself, that now my guts are stronger and stronger, I did what I would not do if I were the Hongyy I was years ago.
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