Tuk Tuk Meeting

Is it motorcycle or automobile?
The meeting of the tuk tuk drivers and the police was to define the tuk tuk as either a motorcycle or an automobile so that the drivers can have the proper license and insurance. Interesting enough, they meet to decide this after the introduction of the tuk tuks mototaxis. Even the Politour (tourist police) have tuk tuk police units. To me tuk tuks are motorcycles that can carry four or five passengers, period. If they are going to be used as taxis they need to be regulated and have insurance.

8 Responses to "Tuk Tuk Meeting"

Susan says:
March 2, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Wow — are these new?? I remember tuk tuks in Thailand, but never in Guatemala. Nifty!! How much do they cost?
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Lessie says:
March 2, 2007 at 11:35 pm
I want one! Much easier to find parking and I bet they’re good on gas! 🙂
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Jerry says:
March 3, 2007 at 5:39 pm
These things remind me of golf carts, and are fun to ride in. We caught a tuktuk taxi several times and they cost us 10 or 15 Q’s..roughly $1.50-2.00 USD each time we rode in them. A bit rough on the brick streets but still a great experience.
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Imelda Davila says:
March 4, 2007 at 7:50 am
Hello Please Post,
I left Antigua last week due to the most violent situation I have ever experienced. Attending Spanish school is a real learning experience in Antigua. At 5:30 PM last Monday I left the Central Logistical International, CLI, Spanish school and walked only 50 feet from the front door and watched one of these TUK TUK vehicles drop off 2 young men about 17 to 20 years old. I watched the TUK TUK driver as he drove past me very fast trying not to look me in the face or allow me to see his. Both of the men ran towards me as though they were in a hurry and needed to get up the block very quickly. Than they stopped very fast in front of me inches from my face. One had a knife in his hand pressing the blade against my side and the other showed me a pistol holding it just inside his jacket. The man holding the pistol stated for me to hand over my backpack and give him the contents of all of my pockets. My first reaction was to fight them or yell out for help. Than that little voice inside of me said do not resist, they my kill me. I than handed over my backpack and gave them the money I had in my pockets. They than grabbed me, through me into the cement wall about 2 feet from where I was standing and ran off. Many people were in the immediate area but either did not want to get involved or did not see or understand what was happening. I got up off the ground and did not know what to do. The school was still open so I ran in and told them what had happened. They asked me to go down to the local police station due to the school was closed. I’m not sure if they even cared. I than went to the police station on 5th street close to the central park area. The police asked me what happened and I gave them a full description of the men. The police had me fill out a few forms and than they sent me on my way. One of the officers told me most likely I will never see my backpack or its contents again. All of my school notes, materials, camera, and several other personal items were in the backpack. The officer told me this happens several times a day or more in Antigua. The next day I went to the school and asked them if they could assist. The school stated that once we leave the school area we are on our own. They would not even tell the other students that they were in danger of theft, robbery, or even something worse.
When I first arrived in Antigua in early February I herd about a dozen robberies or more. The stress of not knowing if you will get robbed is an obstacle in the language learning process. After I was robbed, the police officer told me this happens several times a day. Wow, this means over a hundred robbery’s a months. They ranged from people walking up to them in the late afternoon to early evening carrying shoe shine kits and holding them up with knifes to similar situations as mine in front of the CLI school where the TUK TUKs drop off men and they strip the purses off the women while keeping their male partner away. Also, Several people were in buses on tours from Antigua and the buses were stopped by several men holding pistol’s and rifles and made everyone get off the bus and strip to the under cloths. They took everything they had including their cloths. They lost so much. Some even had their passports in their packs.
I left Antigua cutting short a 2 month Spanish program. I feel I will never travel to a county such a Guatemala again. Antigua is so beautiful. It’s a shame the corruption their will not provide safety to its visitors.
Good Luck all
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Rudy says:
March 6, 2007 at 12:14 am
Susan: They have been is used for several years now.
Lessie: They are very cheap on the gas.
Jerry: You should be careful while using them. Read the story below.
Imelda: Thanks for taking the time to write up your horrible experience. I try to warn people about the possible dangers in this old town.
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Roy Jordan says:
March 22, 2009 at 9:13 am
The Tuk Tuk as defined by USA law is any vehicle having a saddle, and not more than 3 wheels on the road surface. The saddle means to sit on like a horse with the motor between your legs. This does NOT include types that have doors, or a steering wheel like a car.
Once you have doors or steering wheel you have crossed the line into a cyclecar. That of which requires impact testing for added safety.
We have submitted and have the tuk tuk approved in the USA under the regulations of motorcycle with DOT vehicle vin #’s for the motorcycle.
The tuk tuk is a motorcycle !
Come on over and look at our approved models.
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Tom says:
August 6, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I just love your story on the tuk tuk. I travel down to Antigua every year to help my friend that runs Escuela Integrada in Antigua and Patzun. I love riding on the tuk tuk especially when traffic is heavy in town.
Keep up the great work on your site. My wife and I really enjoy your pictures and stories.
Tom
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