rickshaw

A rickshaw is a small passenger transport vehicle that can be powered by a person or by a motor. Historically, the term covers several forms, including hand-pulled rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, and auto rickshaws. The name derives from jinrikisha, the Japanese term for a human-powered vehicle, and entered English during the British colonial era.

The hand-pulled rickshaw originated in 19th-century Japan and spread to other parts of Asia. Cycle rickshaws, introduced in the early 20th century, became a common form of urban transport in many Asian cities, where a driver pedals a seating platform for passengers. Auto rickshaws, three-wheeled motorized vehicles, arose in the mid-20th century and have since become widespread in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and beyond. In various regions they are known by different names, such as tuk-tuk or bajaj, reflecting local usage.

Electric rickshaws, or e-rickshaws, have grown rapidly in the 2010s and 2020s as a low-emission alternative to internal combustion versions. They are used for short urban trips and last-mile transportation, often replacing traditional pedal and diesel options in congested areas. The form and regulation of rickshaws vary widely by country and city, with licensing, vehicle standards, fare controls, and permitted routes shaping operations.

Today, rickshaws provide flexible, affordable transport in many urban areas, offering a practical solution for short trips and dense traffic. They also raise concerns about safety, labor conditions, and pedestrian and rider congestion. Ongoing regulatory, technological, and social changes continue to influence how rickshaws are designed, operated, and integrated into urban mobility systems.