poussepousse

Pousse-pousse is a form of human-powered transport consisting of a small cart, sedan chair, or similar frame that is propelled by a person or group of people. The term, from the French pousse-pousse meaning "push-push," describes the method by which the vehicle is moved and the passengers are carried.

Construction and operation vary by region. Some pousse-pousses are light, wheeled carts with a bench or seat for one or more passengers, pushed or pulled by a driver walking behind or alongside. Other variants resemble a litter or chair carried or supported by poles, with a carrier or carriers guiding the route. In many places the operator—often called a pousse-pousseur—negotiates fares with passengers and provides local or short-distance transport in crowded urban areas, markets, or narrow streets where motorized vehicles are less practical.

Usage and regulation differ widely. Pousse-pousse services have historically provided affordable mobility and livelihoods within the informal city economy, but they can face legal restrictions, safety concerns, and competition from motorized transport. In some regions, motorized or bicycle-towed versions have supplanted traditional pousse-pousses, while in others they persist as a cultural or touristic feature.

Safety, working conditions, and licensing practices vary, reflecting broader urban transport policies and socioeconomic contexts. The pousse-pousse remains a reference point in discussions of urban mobility, informal economies, and the history of passenger transport in regions where it has been traditional or enduring.

See also: rickshaw, pedicab, palanquin.