In Cambodia, the moto (motorcycle) is the dominant mode of transportation. Motos are affordable, efficient, and often the only realistic way to travel longer distances. Cars, on the other hand, are fairly rare in the countryside. The cost of purchasing and maintaining a car is very expensive. When cars appear, they are sometimes shared taxis, NGO vehicles or owned by wealthy families. Students, the elderly and lower-income households commonly use bicycles. Due to the Peace Corps safety policy, I am not allowed to drive or ride a moto because of the high rate of traffic accidents and injuries. This rule, while designed to protect volunteers, immediately set me apart from my community. Entire families balance on a single moto: a parent driving, a small child wedged in front, another clinging to the back.
The majority of people in my village drive a moto. It is used to commute to work, transport goods, take children to school, visit families and even deliver livestock or farm supplies. Motos are versatile, affordable, and able to navigate dirt roads. Bicycles are another form of transportation. Many of my students bike several kilometers to school each day. Walking is also a common way for short distances within the community.
