Well, with a bicycle, they can roll there in half an hour each way, and they get five extra hours of work each day. They need to make money, and the easiest thing to tax is imports. Because the import taxes in some of these countries are so high on specific items, the rich who control these countries have selectively picked items they thought they could put a whopping tax on. These people drive Audis and Mercedes, and they always viewed bicycles as recreational vehicles. It's a recreational vehicle - they don't need them, and if they can afford them, good.
China has the most vibrant economy in the world today.
Latin America isn't developing that way. That town has changed dramatically. A farmer will ride his bike to the field, but he'll push it back carrying five baskets, instead of carrying back one basket. A tradesman, they have to carry their tools. If they have to walk, they can only work a mile or two on either side of their house.