Amit's Blog

The E-Rickshaw Conundrum: Licensing, Debt, and Exploitation in India’s Urban Transport Ecosystem The e-rickshaw sector in India, a vital component of urban mobility, mirrors the exploitative dynamics observed in the railway porter system. At India’s busiest urban centers, such as Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, tightly controlled e-rickshaw licenses, coupled with high purchase costs (₹1–2 lakhs, exacerbated by taxes like 5–12% GST), create a black market where permits are traded at premiums (₹50,000–₹1 lakh). Drivers, often from marginalized communities, rely on informal lenders charging usurious interest rates (24–100% annually), trapping them in debt cycles. A nexus of local authorities, police, and lenders profits, while drivers charge high fares (₹20–50 per km) to offset costs, alienating passengers. Despite India’s labor surplus, license restrictions and gatekeeping inflate costs, perpetuating economic inequity. This essay explores these dynamics across 10 high-traffic urban areas, ...

Motorcycles and Scooters: Engines of Global Change   The motorcycle and scooter evolved from bicycle-inspired designs in the 1860s to modern electric vehicles, transforming mobility globally. From Daimler’s 1885 Einspur to Vespa’s 1946 scooter, innovations like internal combustion engines and lightweight frames drove mass adoption, with global production peaking at 60 million units in 2016. In China, scooters replaced bicycles, with 300 million e-scooters in use by 2023, empowering women like Zhang Wei, who said, “My scooter means independence.” India’s market peaked at 21 million in 2019, boosting rural women’s incomes by 20%. In Africa, motorcycle taxis (boda bodas) provided livelihoods for 1 million, with women like Amina Nakaayi using them for healthcare. In Europe, scooters enabled women’s post-war independence. The $71.92 billion market (2024) is projected to reach $119.09 billion by 2032, driven by e-scooters and smart technology, though safety concerns persist. Motorcyc...