Growing up, my late father worked tirelessly as a pedicab
driver in Bandung. His life, defined by long hours of pedaling to support our
family, left an indelible mark on my memory. One particular experience in June
2000 stands out vividly: while I was juggling work at a textile factory and
studying at Open University, my father invited me to ride his rented pedicab. I
needed study materials, and he insisted on accompanying me through the streets
of Bandung to find them. That day, my father’s dedication was palpable, and it
inspired me to delve deeper into the history of pedicabs in the city where he
worked so diligently.
Through my research, I uncovered a fascinating history that
extends beyond my personal memories, highlighting the role of pedicabs as a key
mode of transportation in Bandung since the 1940s. However, the story of
pedicabs predates even that era. The first mentions of pedicabs, known as becak
in Indonesia, appeared in Sundanese newspapers as early as the 1930s. In fact,
in 1934, a serialized story in Sinar Pasoendan titled Lara Balangsak
noe Ngadadak by Moh. Kosam referenced pedicabs in Singapore. This suggests
that while pedicabs were not yet widespread in Indonesia, they were familiar to
Sundanese speakers through their travel experiences.
The first recorded presence of pedicabs in Indonesia was in
Jakarta around 1940. Initially met with criticism, especially concerning the
poor treatment of the drivers, the introduction of pedicabs was a controversial
subject. Jent Conto, writing for Sipatahoenan in 1940, voiced his
concerns about the inhumane conditions faced by pedicab drivers, who were often
overworked and forced to transport more passengers than their vehicles were
designed to carry. Despite these criticisms, pedicabs continued to grow in popularity,
as they provided employment opportunities for many unemployed Indonesians at
the time.
In Bandung, the arrival of pedicabs was first documented in
October 1940. The article, titled “The Increasing Number of Vehicles in
Bandung,” published in Sipatahoenan, described how the introduction of
pedicabs had an immediate impact on the city. Pedicabs, referred to as “three-wheeled
machine vehicles,” became an alternative to traditional horse-drawn carriages,
which began to lose customers as pedicabs gained traction.
At first, pedicabs were slow to catch on in Bandung. There
were only five operating units, and the city’s residents showed little interest
in riding them. In fact, some viewed pedicabs as unappealing due to their
resemblance to the city’s garbage collection carts. This stigma, combined with
practical challenges such as their inability to navigate the steep roads in
northern Bandung, hindered their initial success. However, over time, pedicabs
began to play a larger role in the city’s transportation system.
Despite the hardships faced by drivers, including low wages
and difficult working conditions, pedicabs became a staple of Bandung’s
streets. The struggle to earn a living as a pedicab driver was not lost on my
father. He persevered, working hard to provide for our family, even as reports
from the time, such as those in Sipatahoenan, highlighted the poor
health and working conditions of drivers in Bandung and Jakarta.
Reflecting on this history, I see the pedicab as more than
just a mode of transportation. For me, it symbolizes the resilience, hard work,
and love that my father embodied every day. What others may have viewed as a
humble and inhumane form of transport, I see as a testament to the dedication
of people like my father, who toiled tirelessly to support their families.
Today, as I retrace the history of pedicabs in Bandung, I honor my father’s
legacy and the contributions of the countless men and women who made a living
pedaling these three-wheeled vehicles through the bustling streets of the city.
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