In many developing countries people live in regions away from the main transport infrastructure. This means transport services are expensive. Many villages in the South are not part of road networks and the lack of transport is a constraint on income generating activities such as taking produce to markets and acquiring equipment and materials needed for a small enterprise. The approach of Practical Action is to promote a view of transport systems that addresses problems of access and mobility for rural people to strengthen capacity of communities to control & manage transport facilities.



Figure 1: Piyasena uses his cycle trailer as a mobile mini store and kitchen. Hambamtota District, Sri Lanka. © Zul/Practical Action

Practical Action has worked on a range of transport technologies that address different transport needs, such as Ox carts, extended load carrying bicycles, aerial runways, bicycle taxis, bicycle ambulances, wheelbarrows, low cost wheelmaking, animal harnesses, low cost road construction and bicycle trailers. Cycle trailers are used for transporting goods, fuel, water and harvests where other means are too expensive.

Trailers allow people can now carry three times as much as with a bicycle, which allows people to carry around 200 kilograms (450 lbs.) The range of use is quite wide including ambulances, mobile shops, and even a mobile library in one instance in Sri Lanka, shown in figure 2.

Bicycle trailers

Bicycle trailers were developed within Practical Action South Asia (Sri Lanka) then adopted by Practical Action East Africa (Kenya) and now used in Nepal and Zimbabwe. To make sure that the cycle trailer are affordable, Practical Action works with local partner organisations who operate credit schemes at low interest rates.