Rickshawa

Rickshawa is a term that appears to be a misspelling or regional variant of rickshaw, a small passenger vehicle used for short-distance travel. In standard usage, rickshaws are designed to carry one or two passengers and are typically powered by human effort or by a small engine. The name rickshaw derives from the Japanese jinrikisha, meaning “man-powered vehicle.”

There are several forms of rickshaw: hand-pulled rickshaws pulled by a person on foot; cycle rickshaws, a bicycle with a passenger seat; auto rickshaws, three-wheeled motorized taxis; and electric rickshaws, usually three-wheeled or compact battery-powered vehicles.

Originating in the 19th century in Japan, rickshaws spread across Asia as a common urban transport. Cycle rickshaws proliferated in South Asia and Southeast Asia, while auto rickshaws emerged later as a motorized alternative. In many cities they supplement buses and taxis, offering short, flexible trips in crowded streets.

Regulation and safety vary by country. Many jurisdictions require operator licensing, vehicle registration, and fare controls; concerns include traffic safety, labor conditions for pullers, and competition with motorized transport.

Related terms include rickshaw, jinrikisha, and pedal-powered public transport.