This type of bicycle was quite common in the 1950s. The stem (handle bar) is straight, and we called it "Ping Tao" or "Level Head". The newer model has a curved stem called "Butterfly Head".
The brake lines were small solid rods until they switched to cables. The heavy duty bicyles have two horizontal bars in the frame as shown in this photo. To transport large loads, the bicycle has a metal backet on the front, and a flat mesh above the rear wheel. Source: Uwants.com
