…the principle function of which is to shield the eyes from dirt, debris, and, well, bugs zooming by at 40 miles per hour. Ask me how I know this – a long moto ride from Ruhengeri back up the mountain to Shyira. So here are a few rules to moto rides in Rwanda.
1. For those who don’t know, motos are the Rwandan equivalent of a taxi. Except they’re more like Vespas with a three speed transmission and a long-travel suspension. Pick your driver carefully. Your life is in his hands.
2. Umuzungu prices run around 1000 Rwandan Francs more. Shop around. You’ll likely get a discount the moment you threaten to seek another ride.
3. Make sure you get a helmet with the clear plastic face shield. Otherwise you’ll learn what eyelashes are for the hard way…like I did…and you’ll have your day’s worth of protein while you’re at it.
4. Motos have two speeds – full throttle and stall. You’re likely to encounter both.
5. Be ready to leap off the back at a moment’s notice. The aforementioned “stall” speed requires the passenger (you), to leap frog off the back and help push the moto and its demented driver out of the muddy rut (of which you will encounter many).
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