m̌ ḫ's photos with the keyword: Mandalay

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Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, is defined by its dense and lively traffic dominated by motorcycles, which account for over 70 % of daily trips, reflecting a shift from the city’s once bicycle-oriented culture to heavy motorization amid rapid urban growth. With few functioning traffic lights and minimal public transport—buses serve less than 3 % of trips—the streets are filled with motorbikes, trishaws, and aging cars moving in loosely organized flows through the grid of wide avenues. This reliance on two-wheelers offers flexible mobility but contributes to congestion, noise, and pollution, especially during peak hours in commercial districts.

In Mandalay, the motorcycle is not simply a mode of transport—it is central to daily existence, perseverance, and family life. Each morning, motorcycles surge across the crossroads, essential to the city’s brisk tempo. The sheer number — over 800,000 registered — creates a swirling tapestry of movement throughout the day. For countless families, particularly mothers with children, two wheels represent both autonomy and practicality. However, there are genuine hazards: motorcycle incidents contribute to the majority of road injuries in the city, and lapses in helmet use markedly increase risk. Despite these dangers, families continue their daily routines by motorbike. Riders adapt to unpredictable traffic, variable weather, and narrow streets, transforming each journey into an exercise in constant attentiveness.