Newer, sleeker, cuter: Provincial tricycles evolving to suit modern times, needs

Even tricycles have to keep up with the changing times.

Though many tricycles in Manila are still the traditional motorcycles with orange or yellow tin sidecars, their provincial counterparts are already taking on newer, sleeker—and even cuter—looks. Some are even more cost-efficient and environment-friendly than those that ply Metro Manila's side streets.
 

This pink Hello Kitty tricycle from Roxas City, Capiz was not a product of an accident or a childish want.

Normer Ariaga, the owner of the trike, told GMA News Online through a phone call that the shape and color of the trike were joint decisions made by him and his wife while the sidecar was in the shop.

"Napag-isipan namin ng asawa ko na gawing Hello Kitty na lang para maiba," said Ariaga, who painted the vehicle himself.

The Hello Kitty trike set him back around P27,000, but the cost was forgivable for a project he loved. While passengers try to flag him down occasionally, Ariaga said his trike is only for his family's use.

"Dati binabiyahe ko, pero bawat barangay kasi may kulay. 'Di na siya pwedeng ibiyahe kasi iba na ang kulay," Ariaga explained.

Profitable and convenient

Having a similarly-sloped front glass window for its passenger's side are the sleek sidecars from Abella Transport Manufacturing Industries.
 

Elmer Vicente Abelia of Arevalo, Iloilo City, an aviation electronics technician, fabricated the designs to help trikes "catch up" with the constantly changing designs of automobiles and houses.

"I came to a point of designing a sidecar for tricycle to match with motorcycles, not only for the comfort of the passengers but also how to make it more profitable and convenient on the part of the owner and driver as their means of livelihood,” Abelia told the PIA.

His innovative designs lead to winning the 2013 Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) in Western Visayas for the Industrial Design category. His designs previously placed second in RICE 2011 under the LIKHA category.

GMA News Online tried to reach Abella for an interview, but received no response as of posting time.

Both locals and foreigners are taking interest in Abella's designs, and orders for units are filling up the comments section of their Facebook page.

The power of electricity

Adding to these is the electric tricycle project of Dave Dewbre, CEO of Digital Web Group Inc. and current resident of Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
 

Using electronically-powered motorcycles and the aerodynamic design of France's pedal taxis, the trikes were made to improve upon an earlier design presented to Dewbre by then-mayor Edward Hagedorn in 2009.

Charlie Boorman, an English TV presenter and motorbike enthusiast, even dropped by to test-drive the bikes for a TV show. The trikes, named ET3, were also featured in the May 2013 edition of C! Magazine, an automotive-focused magazine.

GMA News Online also reached out to Dewbre for comment, but a response is still pending as of posting time. — VC, GMA News