Chukudu Bikes: Congo's local innovative solution to transportation challenges

Democratic Republic of the Congo has been rife with war and fame for a long time, and its eastern city, Goma, is no less a victim of it. Goma has been peaceful in recent times, but the struggles of its people are constant. There is a lack of jobs, infrastructure, living standards, and transportation systems. 

Here, necessity breeds innovation, so a unique solution to transportation issues has emerged: Chukudu bikes. These handcrafted wooden bicycles, which look like relics from another age, have become essential to residents' everyday lives, providing a lifeline in a city devastated by decades of conflict and poverty.

These wooden scooters, known locally as the Chukudu, are practical engineering and endurance masterpieces. Crafted from locally obtained materials, mostly mumba and eucalyptus wood, they come in three sizes - small, medium, and big - to meet the different demands of the region's families. Despite their humble roots, Chukudus have become synonymous with Goma's environment, effortlessly used as a mode of transportation on roads made over lava rocks.

For the people of Goma, the Chukudu is more than simply a form of transportation; it's a lifestyle. These wooden scooters, driven by a proud cadre of drivers known as Tshukudeurs, are important for delivering commodities like agricultural produce and building materials across the city's difficult terrain. Unlike motorized vehicles, which harm the environment, Chukudus provide a sustainable alternative, although one that uses wood.

The Chukudu's beginnings may be traced back to the turbulent 1970s, a time of political turmoil and economic instability under dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. As traditional forms of transportation became insufficient, inhabitants turned to creativity, creating the first Chukudus out of wood and bicycle-inspired designs. These wooden scooters have been significantly upgraded, integrating old tyres, metal hubs, and even brakes made out of makeshift rubber pads to increase their longevity and usability.

Despite their simple look, Chukudus can move cargo weighing 450-800 kilos over long distances. Every day, drivers go on long drives to transport agricultural and construction products from the beautiful hills around Goma to the busy marketplaces in the city centre. Drivers work together to tackle exceptionally big loads, displaying the teamwork values supporting this unique transportation means.

Chukudus, though useful in everyday life, are also symbolic of perseverance and creativity in the face of hardship in Goma culture. The fact that young drivers frequently take their lovers for rides on scooters is evidence of their popularity and standing in the neighbourhood. Marriage to a Tshukudeur is viewed as a financial safety net in a city where job prospects are limited, showing the respect these drivers get.

Whistling Chukudus fill the air as the sun sets on another day in Goma, alerting both drivers and pedestrians to their presence. Residents find solace in the idea that they can conquer any hurdle with their dependable wooden scooters at their sides, even in the face of impending challenges.

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