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Culture
The Scooter Life
Jīchē
The short answer
Scooters (機車, jīchē) are the default transport in Taiwan and Vietnam. Taiwan has around 14 million registered scooters for 23 million people, and Vietnam's cities run on motorbikes.
Where
Taiwan/Vietnam
Category
Transportation/Lifestyle
When
Daily
Origin
1960s-70s
What it is
The overwhelming reliance on motor scooters as the primary mode of transportation for millions of people shaping urban landscapes.
Why it matters
Represents an affordable and convenient solution to navigating dense urban environments. It is a symbol of personal freedom and mobility.
Fun fact
機車 is also Taiwanese slang for an irritating person; Vietnamese uses xe máy ('machine vehicle') for the bike.
Kungfucius says: In Taiwan, 'jīchē' means both 'scooter' and 'annoying'. Locals see no contradiction.
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