In response to Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Things with Engines or Motors.

The daily mode of transport for many staying in the capital, Bangkok, Thailand, is the motorcycle. The motorcycle gets one through massive traffic jams and well into alleys, right in front of one’s house. The motorcycle is also more affordable to own, both in terms of purchase price and maintenance fees such as oil.

*This photo has been edited to remove the man’s face and all vehicle license plate numbers.

The motorcycle is often seen as the more dangerous option compared to a car. The motorcycle gets into fatal road accidents more frequently (at least in Singapore) because it is tiny and often missed by drivers in trucks, buses, or cars. Motorcycles also offer no protection to the motorcyclist; there are no safety pillows, seat belts, or extra metal to absorb the impact of collision.

I once heard of the tragic story of how a friend, A, was riding on the roads and spotted a road accident involving a motorcycle. A recalled seeing the body of the bike, the storage box, and a book that A had gifted to his friend, B. A immediately experienced that sinking feeling. A knew that B was that motorcyclist. After that, A received official news that B had died in that road accident. Dramatic as it sounds, I will not doubt the perils a motorcyclist goes through no matter how safe that road is.

Regardless, the motorcycle is versatile and affordable. The motorcycle remains the choice for daily mode of transport in many major cities throughout the world.

What is your daily mode of transport?

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Enjoy!

[Photo: Taken in Bangkok, Thailand, 2012.]