chukudu
{{Short description|African kick scooters}}
File:Chukudu in North Kivu.jpg
The chukudu (or chikudu, chokoudou, tshukudu){{cite web| url = http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/tshukudu-the-all-purpose-transport-scooter-is-congo-s-lifeline-552186| title = Tshukudu, the All-Purpose Transport Scooter is Congo's Lifeline| date = July 3, 2014| publisher = NDTV| accessdate = November 21, 2015}} is a two-wheeled handmade vehicle used in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is made of wood, and is used for transporting cargo.
The chukudu generally has an angular frame, two small wheels (often of wood, sometimes wrapped with rubber), handlebars, and a pad for the operator to place their knee on while propelling the vehicle with their leg.{{cite web|last=Dixon|first=Robyn|author-link=Robyn Dixon (journalist)|date=January 21, 2013|title=Congo's chairmen of the boards|url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-xpm-2013-jan-21-la-fg-congo-wooden-bikes-20130122-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|location=Goma|accessdate=November 21, 2015}} On a descent, the rider stands on the deck like a kick scooter. On flat ground, the rider can put one knee on the deck and push the ground by the other foot like a knee scooter.
Rubber mud flaps and shock absorber springs may be added.{{Cite web |url=http://www.transportgooru.com/2010/02/chukudus-a-no-nonsense-local-transporter-that-changes-lives-of-congos-poor/ |title=Chukudus – A no nonsense local transporter that changes lives of Congo's poor| website=TransportGooru| date=February 10, 2010 |access-date=February 28, 2012 |archive-date=February 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213021540/http://www.transportgooru.com/2010/02/chukudus-a-no-nonsense-local-transporter-that-changes-lives-of-congos-poor/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=http://mkshft.org/scooter-country/|title=Scooter Country|last=Moore|first=Jina|website=Makeshift|access-date=February 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810214932/http://mkshft.org/scooter-country/|archive-date=August 10, 2016|url-status=usurped}}
History
Chukudus first appeared in the 1970s in North Kivu, during the difficult economic times under Mobutu Sese Seko.{{Cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/27/AR2009032701154.html|title=The Chukudu Is a Small Ride That's a Big Wheel in Congo|last=Husarska|first=Anna|date=March 29, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/10/AR2010021003417.html|title=In eastern Congo, handmade chukudu scooters rule the road|last=McCrummen|first=Stephanie|date=February 11, 2010|newspaper=The Washington Post}}
In 2008, chukudus were selling for US$100 with a cost of materials of nearly US$60.{{cite web| url=http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/2008/0829/qchikudu| title=Wood, wheels, workhorse: the chikudu story| first1=Alex| last1=Halperin| first2=Jina | last2=Moore| date=August 29, 2008| work=The Christian Science Monitor| accessdate=November 21, 2015}} Similarly, in 2014 they cost $50 to $100 and were used to earn up to $10 per day, in an area where most people live on less than $2 per day. A 2014 article estimated a cost of about US$150, which a driver could pay off in about six months, earning $10–20 per day.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bluebiz.com/fr/BizClubs/Club-Africa-News/Les-chukudus-force-motrice-du-commerce-a-Goma|title=Les chukudus, force motrice du commerce à Goma|trans-title=The Chukudus, the driving force of commerce in Goma|last=Dijkstra|first=Andrea|date=October 2, 2014|website=BlueBiz|language=fr|access-date=February 20, 2019}}
Construction
In Goma, where chukudus form the "backbone of the local transportation system", chukudus are made of hard mumba wood and eucalyptus wood, with scrap tires for wheel treads.{{Cite web|url=https://www.designindaba.com/articles/creative-work/congolese-wooden-bicycle-cum-scooter-carries-hundreds-kilograms|title=This Congolese wooden bicycle-cum-scooter carries hundreds of kilograms|first=Khumo |last=Sebambo|date=September 22, 2015|website=Design Indaba|language=en|access-date=February 20, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://globalpressjournal.com/africa/democratic-republic-of-congo/handmade-wooden-vehicle-pride-drc-keeps-country-running/|title=Handmade Wooden Vehicle, the Pride of DRC, Keeps Country Running|first=Ley|last=Uwera|author-link=Ley Uwera|date=September 18, 2016|website=Global Press Journal|language=en-US|access-date=February 20, 2019}} These chukudus take one to three days to build, and last two to three years. The most commonly used size is about six and a half feet long, and carries a load of {{convert|1000|lb|kg}}. However, "the largest chukudus can carry up to {{convert|800|kg|lb}}." Some chukudus are equipped with suspension to the front wheel, either in the form of a metal spring or of tensioned rubber bands.
A small chukudu can be built in about three hours, using dimensional lumber and materials available in a hardware store.{{Cite web|url=https://makezine.com/projects/chukudu-wooden-scooter/|title=Build a Wooden Scooter That Can Haul Hundreds of Pounds|last=Bradbury|first=Doug|date=July 28, 2015|website=Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers|language=en|access-date=February 20, 2019}}
The chukudu is customizable to carry different types of cargo. To haul firewood some chukudus have a hole drilled in the middle of the sitting deck, and the operator can insert a stick to hold firewood in place. Others have a large basket to carry various loads.{{cite web |last1=Sebambo |first1=Kuhmo |title=This Congolese wooden bicycle-cum-scooter carries hundreds of kilograms |url=https://www.designindaba.com/articles/creative-work/congolese-wooden-bicycle-cum-scooter-carries-hundreds-kilograms |website=designindaba.com |accessdate=19 August 2019 |language=en |date=September 22, 2015}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71lKJmtEc0w Chukudus in Goma - YouTube]
- {{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-41806781/how-dr-congo-s-wooden-bikes-drive-profit-in-goma|title=Short video|publisher=BBC}}
- {{cite book|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/78945160/DAMn°22-p72-Chukudus-of-Goma|title=Chukudus of Goma}}
- {{Cite web|url=https://makezine.com/projects/chukudu-wooden-scooter/|title=Build a Wooden Scooter That Can Haul Hundreds of Pounds|date=2015|website=Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers|language=en|access-date=February 20, 2019}}
Category:Human-powered vehicles