PeopleAid supports the banning of human pulled Rickshaws in Kolkata, India. This type of Rickshaw is a similar concept to a horse drawn cart but instead of a horse, a man pulls the cart. They place severe physical stress on the operator.
Please note that PeopleAids – Rickshaws For India program, does not and has never given out this type of Rickshaw. The Rickshaws that we give to set families free are Cycle Rickshaws which are light but strong and are very easy to pedal and operate.
PeopleAid would like to help the human pulled Rickshaw operators in Kolkata by giving them Cycle Rickshaws but so far we have been unsuccessful with our attempts.
According to official records over 7 million Rickshaws are in use in India today. Over 98% of these are Cycle Rickshaws. The government promotes their use as they are non-polluting. They are a major method of taxi style transportation for people taking short journeys. Multitudes ride them to and from work. Business people going to appointments use them. Women travel on them for shopping and children going to and from school ride on Rickshaws. They are also used for moving goods and courier jobs.
