Seeing all the folders (see earlier post) rekindled my hope that all is not lost for the bike in Taiwan. You look a bit closer and they are there…just hiding. And occasionally you see a lot of fun innovations that are uncommon (at least in the USA). Three of my favourites can be seen in the following pictures.
The first (above left) shows a sort of woven/wicker child seat that has been added on. That’s fun. Notice also the back wheel fender has been replaced by a flat thing that looks like a back seat. 
That’s because it is a back seat. This is a very common modification, and you see people riding along with a sitting passenger using this a lot.
The next (right) shows the passenger system of the stand-up variety. You can buy the little foot stands for your bike, screw them onto the rear axle, and carry your friends around. Very common. (We used to do this sort of thing as kids, but I’ve not seen it in such a long time, and did not know there was now standard equipment you can buy for any bike!)
The third (below) is my favourite, as it’s just so bizarre and wonderful. It’s a sort of adult bike incorporating a child’s seat complete with a set of handlebars…. and why not?!
Are these (latter) common in Europe? Anywhere else? I have never, ever, seen this before.
-cvj
January 19th, 2006 at 6:10 am
Haven’t seen these yet, but this Sideways bicycle was spotted by one of the writers to boing boing while in Ireland. Interesting!
January 19th, 2006 at 9:32 am
Those are funny indeed!
-cvj
January 19th, 2006 at 3:04 pm
Never seen anything like this. But I should definetly start taking more pictures. It’s just my digicam is in my backpack, so I am often too lazy to get it. I need another place for it. Any advice?
Helge
January 19th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
These certainly aren’t common in London. The thought of dodging buses/pedestrians/cars/pigeons etc at high speed with your precious offspring on your bike with you merrily inhaling fumes is mildly terrifying! My mum used to bike about with me in a child seat on the back which was pretty fun but I’m not sure I’d chance it m’self…
January 19th, 2006 at 10:43 pm
Years ago, in Boston, I saw a “bike” with four wheels. It was a sort of high-tech pedal-powered go-cart, and it could really move. Anyone know about those? They would be great for the balance-challenged among us…
January 20th, 2006 at 4:14 pm
Well! If a fender is a covering for a wheel that is suppoorted by struts and does not touch the wheel, I see no bikes here with fenders replaced by seats?
Am I missing something?
lb
January 20th, 2006 at 9:07 pm
Nice plush padded “fenders” with stronger posts for supporting weight? In two of the photos. Right there.
-cvj