With motorbikes banned, delivery riders struggle in heatwave

A delivery man rides his bicycle during a heatwave in Yangon on April 29, 2024. Delivery riders pedal their bicycle through a punishing heatwave in Myanmar's commercial capital Yangon, where scooters and motorbikes are banned. (Photo by Sai Aung MAIN / AFP) / TO GO WITH "MYANMAR-HEAT-WEATHER"

DELIVERY rider Than Toe Aung pedals his bicycle through a punishing heatwave in Myanmar’s commercial capital Yangon, where scooters and motorbikes are banned.

He can’t afford a car, and a previous junta outlawed two-wheeled motorised vehicles for “security reasons”, so the employee of the delivery app FoodPanda has no choice but to sweat his way through the streets under his own power.

A wave of exceptionally hot weather has blasted South-East Asia in recent days, with temperatures in Yangon hitting 40ºC, according to Myanmar’s weather office.

In some places, authorities have advised citizens to stay at home, but there is no rest for workers like Than, who relies on his bicycle for income.

“I sweat a lot when I am out working,” he said after leaving his room for another scorching shift in the city of around eight million people.

“The temperature is hotter these days.”

He does what he can to cover himself, wearing a hat, a long-sleeved shirt, long socks and gloves.

He also daubs a traditional sandalwood paste called thanaka on each cheek to protect against the sun.

The 27-year-old alters his route to favour shadier streets and relies on watermelon to keep hydrated.

The heat is unrelenting, but also good for business, he said, as many other drivers choose to take a break, offering those ready to brave the temperatures a chance to make more.

After several deliveries to offices and homes, he has a meal of rice and vegetables on the shaded steps of a shop.

At every pick-up spot he searches for a shady patch.

“Sometimes we have to wait outside for 30 minutes while they prepare the food,” he said.

For slogging through the energy-sapping heat, an average rider will make between 20,000 and 30,000 Myanmar kyat (RM45-RM67) per day, he said.

The heatwave is causing havoc in the city, where a creaky and outdated electricity grid struggles to keep fans whirling and air conditioners humming during the hot season.

“This year is the worst,” a 37-year-old pedal-powered trishaw driver said in Yangon.

He said his earnings were down as people were avoiding going outdoors during the day.

“I stay under shady trees near the gate and join only when it is my turn,” he said. — AFP