A fever took over the hillside streets of Rio de Janeiro in the 1960s and 1970s: rolimã cart races. They attracted cariocas from every part of the city and, for two decades, were the soundtrack that woke the city up in the morning. Although there are no records of the origin of this pastime, it was probably inspired by the delivery carts used in open-air markets. They were made from wooden crates, with ball-bearing wheels on the ends and two pieces of wood attached to the sides, which were used to push the cart.
Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of an open-air market. The image shows several people spread throughout the outdoor market. In the foreground, we see roller-skate carts with goods on display. On the left, a man is sitting on his cart, while on the right, other individuals are arranging their items. In the background, there are stalls and people walking among them. Buildings and trees are visible in the background, providing context to the urban setting.Carrinhos de feira livre – Mário Farias. Facebook O Passado do Rio
The new game was not so well received in some areas of Rio, especially in the south zone. The race, which consisted of going down a hill aboard the roller skate cart, often ended on streets with heavy traffic of cars and people.
Image description: The image is a black-and-white engraving. On the left side, there is a branch with two crows perched on it. In the background, there is a house and a curving road. On the right side, a soapbox cart (rolimã cart) is being pushed by a person. Above the cart, there is a device that appears to be some kind of machine or tool. In the lower corner, it reads "CARRINHO DE ROLIMÃ (ROLAMENTO) ALCIDES 30-7-20".Corrida de carrinho de rolimã – Gravura de Alcides Oliveira
Beyond the noise and the safety risks to riders and pedestrians, residents complained about the presence of gamblers. From a pastime for children and teenagers, rolimã racing began to attract adults who frequented betting establishments, and thus the pegas emerged.
Complaints from part of the population and the many accident reports led to strong police repression on the streets of Rio. In the 1980s, the races began to lose space and importance in the city's daily life.
The arrival of electronic toys contributed to leaving yet another street game behind, but technology was also responsible for bringing back rolimã carts. A few years ago, parents and children once again started gathering to ride down Rio's hills. In neighborhoods in the west zone (Campo Grande, Santa Cruz, and Realengo), the passion for the rustic wooden toy with little wheels is on the rise. Now, the carts come with a brake and a handle, and riders use personal safety equipment, such as helmets and gloves. Onward!
Children play with homemade go-karts in Campo Grande, in the western zone of Rio. Giro Portal
Image description: The image is a photograph of children playing with go-karts made from roller skate wheels on a street. On the left side, there is a green wall with some tree leaves. In front, several boys and girls are sitting or standing, holding their carts. Some are smiling and talking. In the center, a boy is standing, holding his cart. On the right, more children are sitting, looking forward. The background features a green building with some posters hanging on it.
