Confronted with the continued gas shortages which have plagued Cuba, younger folks within the nation have more and more turned to electrical motorbikes, dubbed “motorinas”, as an answer to get round.
Within the Caribbean nation’s capital of Havana, dozens of younger folks collect to do stunts, have interaction in races, and change details about methods to extend the pace of their automobiles.
The “motorinas” are typically two-wheeled, low-speed motorbikes, however these younger folks, who hyperlink up with one another by way of social networks have discovered methods to make them transfer sooner – a course of that may contain making harmful modifications to the batteries.
"Right here we spend the afternoon, we race for some time, we entertain ourselves and we check the variations of the bikes," mentioned Alejandro Vasallo, a 23-year-old proprietor of "Bandolero," a Nippon-brand motorbike that he feels significantly happy with.
They do not race for cash, says 20-year-old Ernesto José Salazar.
"Simply enjoyable, it’s enjoyable to see which store is healthier and which one builds the perfect bikes after which we race to the end line," he mentioned.
For these kids, the island's persistent gas shortages and the necessity to queue for hours to replenish a tank have made the electrical bikes a lifeline.
The federal government authorised the importation of those electrical automobiles up to now decade in an try to avoid gas shortages and ease the burden on the nation’s poor public transportation system.
Since then, in keeping with the nationwide visitors authorities, some 300,000 electrical bikes have been circulating all through the nation, a 3rd of that are within the capital.
They will price between 2,000 and $5,000 (€4,900) and this 12 months, along with these which can be imported - often from China - authorities introduced that they are going to be producing their very own electrical bikes and bicycles.
Whether or not as a result of style or necessity, electrical bikes are altering the city panorama in Cuba and producing some challenges: The batteries generally catch hearth and the inexperience of the drivers is inflicting visitors accidents.
The newest figures accessible from the fireplace division confirmed that within the first half of 2020, there have been 263 fires from bikes with gel or lithium batteries, a notable enhance in comparison with 208 for the whole 12 months in 2019.
For extra on this story, watch the video within the media participant above.
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