T he bosses of Phnom Penh's 11,350 cyclo drivers on Aug 19 agreed to upgrade

their men's standards, provide them with uniforms and get them driver training,

according to Phnom Penh's first vice-governor Chea Sophara.

"I'm very

happy to see that you cyclo owners accept my request and I hope you will tell

your employees to comply with this request," he told a meeting of 50 cyclo fleet

owners.

Under Phnom Penh's Cyclo Uniform Code, the drivers will start

wearing new khaki uniforms next month and will be required to undrgo basic

training in road safety.

Sophara said that with proper standards, the

presence of cyclo drivers on Phnom Penh streets could become a popular tourist

attraction.

Cyclo drivers are the bane of many motorists, and there are

many accidents each day on Phnom Penh streets.

Many cyclo drivers are

seasonal workers from the provinces who migrate to the city after rice

harvesting to earn extra cash for their families.