An ode to the humble but reliable tricycle

Ernest is an economist from the United States and resides in Beijing. He rides a golden trike and shoots fake money from a cannon at parties.

He says the decision to purchase the electric tricycle was largely, well, economic. But the glittery-gold spray paint - like the cannon that blasts fake notes - was an investment in fun.

Indeed, trikes' prevalence and diversity strikes many new arrivals in China.