well a nice dissussion since I was busy moving today. so many points made and opinions stated. Some observations and reality checks: Whether Dmgte developes like Cebu or not, it will likely be a change not based on what any of us choose, but what is expedient and or neccessary due to the growth of the community. Case in point; If robinsons, no, when Robinsons opens the 3 story mall with an 80 room hotel on the top floor, what impact will that have on the dmgte we know and love? I personally am not against it. But the traffic pattens alone when school lets out in the area will be extraordinarily taxed. I would expect to see traffic lights soon, at least in selected areas. There is a chance of reducing the carbon footprint with the implementation of lp gas, electric, and hybrid vehicles. Even electric vehicles have a carbon footprint though they may emit no exhaust. Still a noble goal. The conudrum is "reality". Somewhat of an oxymoron. Wealthy developed areas draw the most potential investment when economies of scale are considered. What can smaller less wealthy communities do? Without EU support, in a price per unit that a taxi driver can afford? An electric trike while interesting and ultimately very achievable with the current technology, would be so out of price range, that it would be of little use in small towns like dmgte. I thought it might be doable until I started to look into it. The next best thing would in fact as stated above, have legitimate emmissions tests, outlaw two strokes, and efficientize the existing planform of modalty, (the beloved or hated trike). For example if the over 2000 trikes in dmgte would reduce fuel consumption by 10% some very rough calculations would indicate a savings of 800 gallons of gas per week. (I have to check on this further, probably more) Not something the gas station owners would endorse I suspect. But really only a start in the right direction. Attitudes are the single most difficult thing to change in all of this. Vehicle maintanence is nearly non existent, or relegated to crisis management status. No tune ups, no scheduled check ups here.
reinventing the tricycle? i dunno how i got here, i was looking for posts on bamboo furniture but here's a link to an electric tryke video that, with a slightly bigger cab, could work in dumaguete city. E-Trike electric tricycle philippines - YouTube think about how quiet it would be in town... norm : ))~
electric bikes actually, instead of varoom varoom and put put, we'd be hearing the whine of electric motors. i dunno but i think the single motors with the modified exhaust systems make more noise than the trykes, guess they could be electric bikes with modified whiners. maybe instead of whining, the electric motors could play music, no that wouldn't work either... imagine the gasolinas, now known as ''recharge stations'', ''gimme a p50 recharge, sir''... norm : ))~
Soon electric tricycles:Philippines to Replace Taxis with Electronic Trikes -- Environmental Protection
The first day of the year is always one of good intentions that will be forgotten ones the hangover is gone.
Asian Development Bank Supports E-Trikes as Public Transit in Manila butting in folks ive seen one of these in action in pasig, metro manila. hehe quieter than a cat! :> i truly wish to see something similar here in dumaguete. and the article, click here
It's an excellent idea in a situation where the infrastructure and the owner of the e-trike can handle it, but..... With "brown outs" how does one go about charging one? What happens when the batteries eventually wear out? Most trike drivers I know of can barely "afford" to keep their gasoline powered motorcycle in fuel and tires, let alone 5,000 peso or more batteries. The article talks about "energy independence", and getting away from fuel powered transportation, but where is the electricity going to come from and what type of fuel is used to generate that electricity? From an air pollution standpoint it is a great idea, but I don't know if the Philippines is ready for them. As a side note, the article also stated that riding a motorcycle in Manila is #7 out of 10 of the most insane activities one can do in Asia! Manila hospitals tallied up 1,662 injuries from motorbike accidents in the first three months of 2010.