The becak is also a cargo bike.

On February 15th, I wrote in the article about the AH stamp sheet: “The stamp featuring the first transport bicycle has piqued my interest. That is, after all, what you become a bicycle enthusiast for. I’ll dive into my books on a rainy day!” I did just that and came to the conclusion that there is much to be written about the bicycle. A bicycle is a vehicle powered by muscle power. Until 1966, the legal term in the Netherlands was "rijwiel". In Flanders, the French term "velo" is also used. Other means of transport have been derived from the bicycle, such as the rickshaw and becak, which are particularly popular in Asia, and several motorized variants that have taken on a life of their own as inventions: the moped, light moped, scooter, and motorcycle. This image provides a nice illustration of the development of the bicycle.

Today we are talking about the cargo bike, which is a three-wheeled transport bicycle with a large box at the front used to carry luggage. The box can be an open, flat container, but also a chest with a lid or a large basket. The cargo box can also be replaced by a seat, allowing passengers to be transported. This is used in tropical countries, among others; see bicycle taxi. A variation on this is the model with a small box in which children can sit. Since around 2000, this model has gained much popularity. Especially in cities like Amsterdam, thousands of mothers and fathers ride with their children and groceries in small, modern cargo bikes from various manufacturers. The most popular of these modern cargo bikes actually have only two wheels. On such a bike, the cargo box is positioned low behind the front wheel and in front of the handlebars. Children sit on one or two benches in the box, and babies in a child seat.

Becak and rickshaw

A becak is a bicycle taxi. One or two passengers can be transported in a small compartment with one or two seats by a rider who sits on the back and pedals. The difference between the becak and a regular rickshaw is that the becak is pushed rather than pulled. A becak is therefore a type of cargo bike for transporting people. It is a widely used means of transport in large cities.

Cargo bike with sidecar!

The bicycle, the becak, the rickshaw, and here a three-wheeler, like a bicycle with a sidecar. It is not a cargo bike, nor a becak or rickshaw... but it is a transport bike!

Cargo bike with box behind the rider

The difference between a becak and a rickshaw has been clarified. A mnemonic to remember whether you are dealing with a becak or a rickshaw is “the letter b”. With the “b”ecak, just like with the “b”akfiets, the box is in front of the rider. So if the box is behind the rider, you are dealing with a rickshaw. Or is that not the case? …. the following image is by definition not a rickshaw (it is for passenger transport)!, but it is a transport bike with a nice enclosed box behind the rider!

With bicycle-latelist greetings, the bicycle-latelist.