Motorcycles are not as popular as you would imagine in Kenya, several reasons for this but the chief reason is cost. An lower cost solution to this can be found in Nairobi in the form of the home-made motorized bike.

Bicycle are fitted with engines, typically from a Japanese company Adtec sold in downtown Nairobi by bike dealers.  Erik Hersman of Afrigadget, shot a video of a motorized bike on http://www.afrigadget.com/2010/01/12/motorized-bicycles-in-nairobi.

You will see an engine which is a 48cc two-stroke that will push the bike to 25mph, and runs for 70 Km on a liter of gas, or 165 mpg. The range is double that, as the gas tank up top holds two liters.

You could buy the bike and engine together, for around $200, or the motor on its own for $135. They are understandably popular in Kenya, the company that sells them in Kenya, Adventure Technology Company Ltd, has their main office in downtown Nairobi. In 2009 they imported 500 bicycles and sold them in their 13 branches across the country. The branch manager, Julius Lumumba says it’s a good business, and they sell very quickly – especially up country in places like Kakamega, Bunguma and Kisumu.

Read More http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/01/video-motorized-bikes-in-kenya/#ixzz0k9RKKe4z

Photo Credit: A man stares hard into the distance whilst sitting on a motorcycle in Molo, Kenya.