Public Transport: The Malawi Version

Bicycles. Yep, public transport bicycles. Not "to hire" but "to get a ride on!"

Along the main tar roads, as in most parts of Africa, there are pick up trucks and the occasional minibus/van, which continue to take passengers as long as they are willing to climb on. This is one is pretty full, but certainly not the most people we saw! It's generally more acceptable for females to sit in the bed -- something I had to explain to the volunteers. On the odd occasion, I'd end up with a child in my lap (no one else I travelled with had this happen -- I think my kid attraction from my youth has re-blossomed lately!) or less fortunately snuggled up to some stranger (with ones' head at a rather compromising height). Generally, the other passengers were considerate and enjoyed having us there, but I always felt more welcome and less... prey to random advances when travelling with men from our group.

But my personal preference was to travel by bicycle. The first time we did it, it was to a game park from a small semi-touristy town. The bikes were colourfully decorated and had handle bars for the passenger to hold on to. The guys were great, racing and chatting and laughing. I fell in love with public bicycle rides.

When our project car went out of service, we started using the local public transport to get around at home. The big benefit is that you never have to wait. There's always one around. So most of the time, it's faster than waiting for a car.

The less touristy version of bicycle transport is a bit more exciting for very different reason: no handle bars. Just grab your seat and, if its your inclination, keep your thoughts close to St. Christopher, patron of the traveller! Tar roads are one thing, but going over bumpy dirt roads (sometimes poorly planned and wearing a skirt) holding on mostly by squeezing your knees made even me cringe on occasion. It's easier knowing that falling off a bike would likely be much less damaging than any other form of transportation accident and that none of us ever did actually fall off.

These pictures represent the view while riding- much better than through a car window!