By GARY WARTH - nctimes.com
Cycling fans directed to lots to avoid jams
NORTH COUNTY --- With more than 40,000 fans expected to watch the final stage of the Tour of California in North County on Sunday, motorists are being asked to take shuttles, ride their own bicycles and park in assigned lots to avoid traffic jams.
Even during the rain-soaked first stages of the race that began Feb. 14 in Sacramento, thousands of race fans braved wet weather to watch some of the world's top cyclists ride through their towns. With the National Weather Service predicting a partly cloudy day with highs in the 70s on the tour's final day, local organizers are bracing for large crowds of cars and pedestrians along North County's normally quiet Sunday streets.
More on the Amgen Tour of California
Unlike in other stages throughout the state where the start and finish lines were as far as 100 miles apart, the start and finish lines in the 96.8-mile final leg looping around North County are separated by only about seven miles.
Many fans are expected to try to catch both ends of the race ---- watching the racers take off from the starting line at Bernardo Center Drive between Lomica Drive and Bernardo Plaza Court in Rancho before catching the finish at Broadway and Grand Avenue in Escondido.
To avoid a sudden mass northern migration, motorists are advised to park in one of three locations that offer free shuttles to the start and finish lines. From 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., shuttles will run to the Rancho Bernardo starting line from Westfield Mall in Escondido, San Pasqual High School at 3300 Bear Valley Parkway and National University at 16875 W. Bernardo Drive. Shuttles to the Escondido finish line will run from 12:30 to 6 p.m. from those same sites.
Parking near the starting line is available at The Plaza in Rancho Bernardo, but motorists must enter through the Lomica Drive entrance because of road closures. From Interstate 15, take Bernardo Center Drive east and turn right at Lomica Drive.
Parking for people with disabilities will be at the Bank of America parking lot, 16849 Bernardo Center Drive. For more information, call (858) 487-1767.
Parking near the race route in Escondido can be found at Escondido High School at 1535 N. Broadway, Conway Elementary School at 1325 Conway Drive, and Orange Glen Elementary School at 2861 East Valley Parkway.
Pop's Pedicab of Ramona will take fans in Escondido to the finish line for a fare of $5 to $10 a person, depending on distance, and Bike Bling bike shop of Escondido will operate a bike valet service from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For $3, cyclists can drop off their bikes at 224 E. Grand Ave., where a valet will take it to a secured location until the owner returns with a ticket to retrieve it.
In Valley Center, where spectators will converge at Cole Grade Road and Lake Wohlford Road to watch the race, parking will be available at Valley Center High at 31322 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center Middle School at 28102 N. Lake Wohlford Road, Valley Center Elementary School at 28751 Cole Grade road, Valley Center Primary School at 14249 Fruitvale Road, and at 29919 Valley Center Road.
Motorists can park along South Grade Road and East Grade Road to watch the racers ride up and down Palomar Mountain, but they better arrive early. Sgt. Lew Hill of the California Highway Patrol said people were expected to begin parking recreational vehicles on South Grade Road on Friday night to stake out the best spot to see the uphill ride.
Because of such early arrivals, South Grade Road will be closed to vehicular traffic by 9 a.m. until about 3 p.m. Sunday.
Contact staff writer Gary Warth at (760) 740-5410 or gwarth@nctimes.com.
Sunday, February 22
Thursday, February 19
Student's pedicab service helps Northgaters get around conveniently
Lending a ride
By: Clair Lavender
If you've been to Northgate lately, you may have noticed a new set of wheels on the street. For the ladies that regret wearing heels, the weary that had one too many or simply the easily entertained, this new luxury will thrill you.
EZ Rider Pedicabs is a new business in the Bryan/ College Station area owned and operated by senior industrial distribution major Holland Lawrence.
The "pedicab" is a bicycle pulling a rickshaw, or a three-seat bench on wheels.
Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., Ags are given the option of jumping into a pedicab and getting a ride to their car or nearby home. Though a typical ride is within a three to five block radius of Northgate, Lawrence hits the usual hotspots down Old College, University, Wellborn and sometimes into Bryan.
For a direct pick up, Lawrence tends to begin behind Aggieland Bookstore, the Fitzwilly's parking lot and the St. Mary's Catholic Church parking lot.
After doing some research, Lawrence made the decision to take donations as a method of payment.
"In big cities, the rates are high, but as a college student myself, I thought about what I would pay and the best conclusion I came to was donations," said Lawrence.
Rachel Hood, a senior industrial distribution major and friend of Lawrence, said she found out about the business this semester but was eager to catch a ride.
"Holland is very easy going, easy to get along with and definitely my saving grace the other night," said Hood.
On Lawrence's third weekend out riding, Hood found the pedicab when she needed it most.
"The ride was wonderful. I was wearing heels all day so my feet were done by the end of night," said Hood.
Taking the cab to Lot 77 facing Wellborn, Hood and two friends took pictures and video as they rode around Northgate.
"When we were riding everyone was looking at us and we were waving at everyone. It was really fun just getting a ride to the car," said Hood.
Since her night of fame, Hood has spread the word about the cabs and thinks the business will do well.
"It's nice and easy, he meets you right out of Northgate and takes you right to your car. I don't think he could have come up with a better idea," said Hood.
To Lawrence's surprise, he hasn't received any negative feedback on the business yet.
The idea came to Lawrence in October 2008 when he saw the pedicab business in Austin and spoke with one of the "cabbies" or riders. Lawrence said the more he thought about it, the more it sounded like a great addition to Aggieland.
"It provides an eco-friendly mode of transportation and eliminates Aggies' use of vehicles," said Lawrence.
The first person he called was his older brother Whitney Lawrence who graduated from the University of Texas and now works as a transportation engineer in Oakland, Ca.
"I was totally behind it," said Whitney, "I thought it was such a good idea and Holland's got the heart of an entrepreneur, it's not hard to tell."
As it turned out, older brother Whitney ended up helping in more ways than moral support. The cabs that Lawrence wanted to purchase from Craig's list were located in California.
"I was there to help him with advice, running ideas, looking at the merchandise and organizing the transportation of the stuff back to Texas," said Whitney.
When the bikes arrived in November, the idea became a reality as Lawrence began working 12 hours a day to get the bikes ready by January.
"I had to assemble the cabs, find out the local laws and regulations, register the bikes and become a certified taxi cab driver," said Lawrence.
Lawrence said he is thankful for the support his family has provided throughout the production of EZ Rider Pedicabs.
"I think I would have given up a long time ago if it wasn't for the support of my family and friends," said Lawrence.
Holland's father, Whitney Lawrence, owns a business in San Antonio, which came in handy as the pedicab business began to take action.
"My dad tells me like it is," said Lawrence. "He has helped me with insurance, starting the right business, getting the right titles and registrations; things I wouldn't have otherwise known to do."
Though the pedicabs are still a surprise to many of the faces on Northgate, Lawrence hopes the business will grow in riders and passengers and continue for many years to come.
"I think once it's going, it'll be a big hit and in high demand," said Lawrence.
By: Clair Lavender
If you've been to Northgate lately, you may have noticed a new set of wheels on the street. For the ladies that regret wearing heels, the weary that had one too many or simply the easily entertained, this new luxury will thrill you.
EZ Rider Pedicabs is a new business in the Bryan/ College Station area owned and operated by senior industrial distribution major Holland Lawrence.
The "pedicab" is a bicycle pulling a rickshaw, or a three-seat bench on wheels.
Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., Ags are given the option of jumping into a pedicab and getting a ride to their car or nearby home. Though a typical ride is within a three to five block radius of Northgate, Lawrence hits the usual hotspots down Old College, University, Wellborn and sometimes into Bryan.
For a direct pick up, Lawrence tends to begin behind Aggieland Bookstore, the Fitzwilly's parking lot and the St. Mary's Catholic Church parking lot.
After doing some research, Lawrence made the decision to take donations as a method of payment.
"In big cities, the rates are high, but as a college student myself, I thought about what I would pay and the best conclusion I came to was donations," said Lawrence.
Rachel Hood, a senior industrial distribution major and friend of Lawrence, said she found out about the business this semester but was eager to catch a ride.
"Holland is very easy going, easy to get along with and definitely my saving grace the other night," said Hood.
On Lawrence's third weekend out riding, Hood found the pedicab when she needed it most.
"The ride was wonderful. I was wearing heels all day so my feet were done by the end of night," said Hood.
Taking the cab to Lot 77 facing Wellborn, Hood and two friends took pictures and video as they rode around Northgate.
"When we were riding everyone was looking at us and we were waving at everyone. It was really fun just getting a ride to the car," said Hood.
Since her night of fame, Hood has spread the word about the cabs and thinks the business will do well.
"It's nice and easy, he meets you right out of Northgate and takes you right to your car. I don't think he could have come up with a better idea," said Hood.
To Lawrence's surprise, he hasn't received any negative feedback on the business yet.
The idea came to Lawrence in October 2008 when he saw the pedicab business in Austin and spoke with one of the "cabbies" or riders. Lawrence said the more he thought about it, the more it sounded like a great addition to Aggieland.
"It provides an eco-friendly mode of transportation and eliminates Aggies' use of vehicles," said Lawrence.
The first person he called was his older brother Whitney Lawrence who graduated from the University of Texas and now works as a transportation engineer in Oakland, Ca.
"I was totally behind it," said Whitney, "I thought it was such a good idea and Holland's got the heart of an entrepreneur, it's not hard to tell."
As it turned out, older brother Whitney ended up helping in more ways than moral support. The cabs that Lawrence wanted to purchase from Craig's list were located in California.
"I was there to help him with advice, running ideas, looking at the merchandise and organizing the transportation of the stuff back to Texas," said Whitney.
When the bikes arrived in November, the idea became a reality as Lawrence began working 12 hours a day to get the bikes ready by January.
"I had to assemble the cabs, find out the local laws and regulations, register the bikes and become a certified taxi cab driver," said Lawrence.
Lawrence said he is thankful for the support his family has provided throughout the production of EZ Rider Pedicabs.
"I think I would have given up a long time ago if it wasn't for the support of my family and friends," said Lawrence.
Holland's father, Whitney Lawrence, owns a business in San Antonio, which came in handy as the pedicab business began to take action.
"My dad tells me like it is," said Lawrence. "He has helped me with insurance, starting the right business, getting the right titles and registrations; things I wouldn't have otherwise known to do."
Though the pedicabs are still a surprise to many of the faces on Northgate, Lawrence hopes the business will grow in riders and passengers and continue for many years to come.
"I think once it's going, it'll be a big hit and in high demand," said Lawrence.
Tuesday, February 17
Bike taxis could come to Ann Arbor
Bike taxis could come to Ann Arbor
By Lara Zade
Daily Staff Reporter On February 17th, 2009
Imagine a city that provides cabs with three wheels, no doors and two pedals for its busy commuters. Ann Arbor may be that city in the near future.
Barbara Annis, a resident of Ann Arbor’s old west side, is looking to garner support to have a pedicab business open in Ann Arbor.
Pedicabs, also known as bike taxis or rickshaws, are pedaled vehicles that transport people from one place to another.
Annis first rode a pedicab when she was abroad in Asia.
“It must have planted a seed,” she said.
Pedicabs have become an international phenomenon and have become popular in cities like New York, Boston and San Diego.
Annis said she came up with the idea to bring pedicabs to Ann Arbor after she heard about a grant proposal from the Ann Arbor Community Foundation.
“It’s just a cool idea, said Annis. “It connects with the bigger idea of non-motorized transportation, and that’s something the city has been working on for quite a long time.”
Annis said she thought pedicabs in Ann Arbor would cater to city walkers traveling short distances or to those who have their hands tied up from children or grocery bags.
The cost per fully equipped cab, including turn signals and seat belts, is $3,500 to $4,000. Other costs include maintenance, storage and insurance, which Annis has not yet estimated.
Her plan is to bring a fleet of 10 pedicabs to Ann Arbor and adjust that number after gauging popularity.
Though pedicabs operate the same way as taxicabs and are primarily owned by private companies, Annis said she would like to see Ann Arbor employ free pedicab service. That would require the city to manage the cabs and be funded by sponsorships.
The deadline for the last Ann Arbor Community Foundation grant proposal has already passed, but Annis said she’s still looking for a sponsor.
Pete Hines, chair of the Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition, said that his group is in full support of having pedicabs as an alternative source of transportation in Ann Arbor. He added, however, that as a nonprofit organization, it wouldn’t be able to offer a sponsorship.
Annis also spoke with Nancy Shore, the director of Ann Arbor’s getDowntown — a program that focuses on finding sustainable transportation options for the city’s commuting employees — about the practicality of bringing pedicabs to the city.
Shore liked the idea, but didn’t think it was feasible for such a form of transportation due to winter weather conditions and a small population density.
“I’m very supportive of all types of alternative transportation, but I’m just weary of some issues regarding our density here,” Shore said. “Right now I don’t think that pedicabs will work in Ann Arbor.”
However, other Michigan cities — including Grand Rapids and Detroit — have joined the trend.
Darin Galinis, owner and operator of Elite Pedicabs, became the first pedicab operator in Michigan when he opened his business with co-owner Randy McCullough in Lansing in 2007.
Shortly after opening in Lansing, Galinis moved his business to Grand Rapids so that he could be closer to his family.
Currently Galinis operates four pedicabs in Grand Rapids, but is looking to at least double that number and expand to other cities, including Ann Arbor.
“We’d love to have our business in Ann Arbor,” he said. “It could be in there in a matter of weeks.”
Although Shore had concerns about Ann Arbor’s low population density as a potential issue for supporting a pedicab service, Galinis said that the city's size is not a major problem.
“If there’s one thing I can say, as long as you have any sort of night life, size doesn’t matter, you can have pedicabs there,” he said. “It’s just how many bikes you allow.”
But even with the most expensive ride settling at $5, a lack of customers forced Galinis to cut operation in Grand Rapids from seven days a week to Wednesday through Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
“At first it was our intention to go every day of the week but we found out that it was harder to get started during the day than during the night,” he said. The nightlife is more accepting of it.”
In addition, Galinis acknowledged the fact that weather during the winter months can make for uncomfortable conditions outside, but that business is just about as busy now as it is during summer months.
“The one thing that definitely stops us is the wind,” he said. “It’s just unsafe.”
Even last Friday — when temperatures were near 22 degrees — Galinis said he made as much money as he would have on an average summer night with perfect weather.
And in regards to competition with taxi cabs, Galinis said he knows it’s there, but thinks that time will mend any ill feelings after cab drivers realize that it’s a give-and-take relationship.
Although the pedicabs business takes away some shorter rides from taxicabs, Galinis said he also refers longer distance rides to cab drivers.
“I think it just needs time,” said Galinis.
By Lara Zade
Daily Staff Reporter On February 17th, 2009
Imagine a city that provides cabs with three wheels, no doors and two pedals for its busy commuters. Ann Arbor may be that city in the near future.
Barbara Annis, a resident of Ann Arbor’s old west side, is looking to garner support to have a pedicab business open in Ann Arbor.
Pedicabs, also known as bike taxis or rickshaws, are pedaled vehicles that transport people from one place to another.
Annis first rode a pedicab when she was abroad in Asia.
“It must have planted a seed,” she said.
Pedicabs have become an international phenomenon and have become popular in cities like New York, Boston and San Diego.
Annis said she came up with the idea to bring pedicabs to Ann Arbor after she heard about a grant proposal from the Ann Arbor Community Foundation.
“It’s just a cool idea, said Annis. “It connects with the bigger idea of non-motorized transportation, and that’s something the city has been working on for quite a long time.”
Annis said she thought pedicabs in Ann Arbor would cater to city walkers traveling short distances or to those who have their hands tied up from children or grocery bags.
The cost per fully equipped cab, including turn signals and seat belts, is $3,500 to $4,000. Other costs include maintenance, storage and insurance, which Annis has not yet estimated.
Her plan is to bring a fleet of 10 pedicabs to Ann Arbor and adjust that number after gauging popularity.
Though pedicabs operate the same way as taxicabs and are primarily owned by private companies, Annis said she would like to see Ann Arbor employ free pedicab service. That would require the city to manage the cabs and be funded by sponsorships.
The deadline for the last Ann Arbor Community Foundation grant proposal has already passed, but Annis said she’s still looking for a sponsor.
Pete Hines, chair of the Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition, said that his group is in full support of having pedicabs as an alternative source of transportation in Ann Arbor. He added, however, that as a nonprofit organization, it wouldn’t be able to offer a sponsorship.
Annis also spoke with Nancy Shore, the director of Ann Arbor’s getDowntown — a program that focuses on finding sustainable transportation options for the city’s commuting employees — about the practicality of bringing pedicabs to the city.
Shore liked the idea, but didn’t think it was feasible for such a form of transportation due to winter weather conditions and a small population density.
“I’m very supportive of all types of alternative transportation, but I’m just weary of some issues regarding our density here,” Shore said. “Right now I don’t think that pedicabs will work in Ann Arbor.”
However, other Michigan cities — including Grand Rapids and Detroit — have joined the trend.
Darin Galinis, owner and operator of Elite Pedicabs, became the first pedicab operator in Michigan when he opened his business with co-owner Randy McCullough in Lansing in 2007.
Shortly after opening in Lansing, Galinis moved his business to Grand Rapids so that he could be closer to his family.
Currently Galinis operates four pedicabs in Grand Rapids, but is looking to at least double that number and expand to other cities, including Ann Arbor.
“We’d love to have our business in Ann Arbor,” he said. “It could be in there in a matter of weeks.”
Although Shore had concerns about Ann Arbor’s low population density as a potential issue for supporting a pedicab service, Galinis said that the city's size is not a major problem.
“If there’s one thing I can say, as long as you have any sort of night life, size doesn’t matter, you can have pedicabs there,” he said. “It’s just how many bikes you allow.”
But even with the most expensive ride settling at $5, a lack of customers forced Galinis to cut operation in Grand Rapids from seven days a week to Wednesday through Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
“At first it was our intention to go every day of the week but we found out that it was harder to get started during the day than during the night,” he said. The nightlife is more accepting of it.”
In addition, Galinis acknowledged the fact that weather during the winter months can make for uncomfortable conditions outside, but that business is just about as busy now as it is during summer months.
“The one thing that definitely stops us is the wind,” he said. “It’s just unsafe.”
Even last Friday — when temperatures were near 22 degrees — Galinis said he made as much money as he would have on an average summer night with perfect weather.
And in regards to competition with taxi cabs, Galinis said he knows it’s there, but thinks that time will mend any ill feelings after cab drivers realize that it’s a give-and-take relationship.
Although the pedicabs business takes away some shorter rides from taxicabs, Galinis said he also refers longer distance rides to cab drivers.
“I think it just needs time,” said Galinis.
Pedicabs focus letter: Pedicabs would be useful if used enough
by Bill Marshall | Clinton
Tuesday February 17, 2009, 1:09 PM
I read with excited interest the pedicab articles of Feb. 9 and hope such a program works. I can't help but imagine, though, the frustration of some motorists who would likely find sharing the downtown streets troublesome, and view the pedicabs as impeding their speedy travel if they were not able to easily pass them. From videos I have searched for on the Internet, the pedicabs seem to move much slower than the motorized traffic. Heck, toss in a downtown traffic circle with pedicabs and I bet there would be no end to opinion page write-ins! I think pedicabs would serve a purpose in direct relation to their numbers; the more pedicabs there were, the more likely they would be accepted. The trick to this thing ultimately would be if the vast amount of people in the area affected would use them.
If that is accomplished, then pedicabs could work their magic.
Perhaps coupled with a Yellow Bike program (www.austinyellowbike.org/about_ybp.htm has links to other such YBPs) the pedicabs would make Ann Arbor even more of a bike-friendly city. Such a coupled program I personally would most certainly approve of and actively support, whatever city it was set up in.
I feel such ideas should be explored and wish Barbara Annis the very best in this matter!
Tuesday February 17, 2009, 1:09 PM
I read with excited interest the pedicab articles of Feb. 9 and hope such a program works. I can't help but imagine, though, the frustration of some motorists who would likely find sharing the downtown streets troublesome, and view the pedicabs as impeding their speedy travel if they were not able to easily pass them. From videos I have searched for on the Internet, the pedicabs seem to move much slower than the motorized traffic. Heck, toss in a downtown traffic circle with pedicabs and I bet there would be no end to opinion page write-ins! I think pedicabs would serve a purpose in direct relation to their numbers; the more pedicabs there were, the more likely they would be accepted. The trick to this thing ultimately would be if the vast amount of people in the area affected would use them.
If that is accomplished, then pedicabs could work their magic.
Perhaps coupled with a Yellow Bike program (www.austinyellowbike.org/about_ybp.htm has links to other such YBPs) the pedicabs would make Ann Arbor even more of a bike-friendly city. Such a coupled program I personally would most certainly approve of and actively support, whatever city it was set up in.
I feel such ideas should be explored and wish Barbara Annis the very best in this matter!
Sunday, February 15
Pedicab proposal Bike-powered taxis seen as viable
Sunday, February 15, 2009
BY DAVE GERSHMAN
The Ann Arbor News
Imagine a fleet of bicycle-powered taxis, ready to be hailed on the street at a moment's notice to carry people throughout downtown Ann Arbor.
It's an interesting idea - although still just an idea right now - put forward by Barbara Annis, a resident of the Old West Side.
To make it happen, she'll need money; she's working on a grant proposal, and she needs a community organization as a partner. She sees the bicycle-powered taxis, called pedicabs, operating as a nonprofit in a joint venture with an already established organization.
Those are big hurdles, but being able to ride in a bicycle-powered taxi, doesn't seem so farfetched in a city that prides itself on being bicycle friendly and environmentally conscious. And the concept is sparking some conversation.
"My idea is that the rides would be free and that the cabs would be supported through advertising and sponsorships,'' said Annis, a semi-retired freelance writer.
Who would use the pedicabs? Lots of people, she says. The downtown is walkable, but sometimes the feet aren't willing. Annis cites her own experience: When she walks to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, she frequently buys too much to lug it all home on foot.
Cities like New York and Grand Rapids have pedicabs, but Ann Arbor isn't as densely populated as those cities. And Ann Arbor's colder and often icier streets could be impediments during winter, said Nancy Shore, director of the getDowntown program in Ann Arbor, which encourages alternative forms of transportation.
Pedicabs, which usually seat two people, also offer only limited protection from the elements. But, Shore said, Annis has identified what's lacking in the city's transportation fabric - a public service people can use without timing their trips to a bus schedule. At least during the warmer months, Shore said, "I don't see why it can't be an option.''
The pedicab vehicles cost about $3,500 to $4,000. There's also the costs of insurance and maintenance, and wages for employees - presumably many college-aged people who might like to pedal the pedicabs.
With 21 low gears, pedicabs are easy to pedal, said Annis, who thinks the downtown could support a fleet of 10.
"We think it's a really cool idea,'' said Pete Hines, chairman of the advocacy group Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition. "It would raise (cycling) visibility and awareness.''
BY DAVE GERSHMAN
The Ann Arbor News
Imagine a fleet of bicycle-powered taxis, ready to be hailed on the street at a moment's notice to carry people throughout downtown Ann Arbor.
It's an interesting idea - although still just an idea right now - put forward by Barbara Annis, a resident of the Old West Side.
To make it happen, she'll need money; she's working on a grant proposal, and she needs a community organization as a partner. She sees the bicycle-powered taxis, called pedicabs, operating as a nonprofit in a joint venture with an already established organization.
Those are big hurdles, but being able to ride in a bicycle-powered taxi, doesn't seem so farfetched in a city that prides itself on being bicycle friendly and environmentally conscious. And the concept is sparking some conversation.
"My idea is that the rides would be free and that the cabs would be supported through advertising and sponsorships,'' said Annis, a semi-retired freelance writer.
Who would use the pedicabs? Lots of people, she says. The downtown is walkable, but sometimes the feet aren't willing. Annis cites her own experience: When she walks to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, she frequently buys too much to lug it all home on foot.
Cities like New York and Grand Rapids have pedicabs, but Ann Arbor isn't as densely populated as those cities. And Ann Arbor's colder and often icier streets could be impediments during winter, said Nancy Shore, director of the getDowntown program in Ann Arbor, which encourages alternative forms of transportation.
Pedicabs, which usually seat two people, also offer only limited protection from the elements. But, Shore said, Annis has identified what's lacking in the city's transportation fabric - a public service people can use without timing their trips to a bus schedule. At least during the warmer months, Shore said, "I don't see why it can't be an option.''
The pedicab vehicles cost about $3,500 to $4,000. There's also the costs of insurance and maintenance, and wages for employees - presumably many college-aged people who might like to pedal the pedicabs.
With 21 low gears, pedicabs are easy to pedal, said Annis, who thinks the downtown could support a fleet of 10.
"We think it's a really cool idea,'' said Pete Hines, chairman of the advocacy group Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition. "It would raise (cycling) visibility and awareness.''
Friday, February 13
Pedicabs faster, safer, sustainable transit
by Meredith Sladek, NY Bicycle Transportation Examiner
The next time you think about hailing a yellow cab, consider riding a pedicab instead.
Pedicabs, also known as cycle rickshaws or bicycle taxis depending on the design, are a means for transporting both passengers and cargo. They have one wheel in front and a carriage in the back supported by two other wheels. They are human-powered and the entire unit can weigh up to 200 lbs. They can also carry up to 800.
They're not just for tourists wanting a spin through Central Park. Pedicab operators have an in-depth knowledge of the city streets, knowing both shortcuts and the nearest dollar slice. They can be found cruising for fares both day and night, or are reachable by a phone call. They're safer than motorized cabs, due to the pedicab driver's greater visibility and easier maneuverability. They're slimmer, taking up less space and easing congestion. They have been used anywhere from transporting delegates in Denver during the 2008 Democratic National Convention to rounding up food for the homeless with City Harvest.
Besides being affordable (some cabs have a price list; others charge on a sliding scale; still others work for tips) and completely carbon-emission-free, pedicabs can also get passengers to their destinations more quickly, it turns out, than their motorized cousins:
Riding in one can whisk passengers through the pulsing heart of Manhattan while giving the most working-class of citizens a feeling of aristocracy. And, unlike many cabbies, pedicab cyclists actually enjoy their jobs.
The next time you think about hailing a yellow cab, consider riding a pedicab instead.
Pedicabs, also known as cycle rickshaws or bicycle taxis depending on the design, are a means for transporting both passengers and cargo. They have one wheel in front and a carriage in the back supported by two other wheels. They are human-powered and the entire unit can weigh up to 200 lbs. They can also carry up to 800.
They're not just for tourists wanting a spin through Central Park. Pedicab operators have an in-depth knowledge of the city streets, knowing both shortcuts and the nearest dollar slice. They can be found cruising for fares both day and night, or are reachable by a phone call. They're safer than motorized cabs, due to the pedicab driver's greater visibility and easier maneuverability. They're slimmer, taking up less space and easing congestion. They have been used anywhere from transporting delegates in Denver during the 2008 Democratic National Convention to rounding up food for the homeless with City Harvest.
Besides being affordable (some cabs have a price list; others charge on a sliding scale; still others work for tips) and completely carbon-emission-free, pedicabs can also get passengers to their destinations more quickly, it turns out, than their motorized cousins:
Riding in one can whisk passengers through the pulsing heart of Manhattan while giving the most working-class of citizens a feeling of aristocracy. And, unlike many cabbies, pedicab cyclists actually enjoy their jobs.
Monday, February 9
Pedal power: Ann Arbor resident is making a push for bicycle taxis downtown
by Dave Gershman | The Ann Arbor News
Monday February 09, 2009, 7:48 AM
Imagine a fleet of bicycle-powered taxis, ready to be hailed on the street at a moment's notice to ferry people across downtown Ann Arbor.
It's an interesting idea - though still just an idea right now - put forward by Barbara Annis, a resident of the city's Old West Side.
To make it happen, she'll need money, so she's working on a grant proposal, and she needs a community organization as a partner. She sees the bicycle-powered taxis, called pedicabs, operating as a nonprofit organization in a joint venture with an already-established organization.
Those are big hurdles, but being able to ride in a bicycle-powered taxi, or pedicab, doesn't seem so farfetched in a city that prides itself on being bicycle friendly and environmentally conscious. And the concept is sparking some conversation.
"My idea is that the rides would be free and that the cabs would be supported through advertising and sponsorships," said Annis, a semi-retired freelance writer.
Who would use the pedicabs? Lots of people, she says. The downtown is walkable, but sometimes the feet aren't willing. Annis cites her own experience: When she walks to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, she frequently buys too much to lug it all home on foot.
Cities like New York and Grand Rapids have pedicabs, but Ann Arbor isn't as densely populated as a city like New York. And Ann Arbor's colder and often icier streets could be a drag during the winter, said Nancy Shore, director of Ann Arbor's getDowntown Program, which encourages alternate forms of transportation.
Pedicabs, usually seating two people, generally offer only limited protection from the elements.
But, Shore said, Annis has identified what's lacking in the city's transportation fabric - a public service people can use without timing their trips to a bus schedule. At least during the warmer months, Shore said, "I don't see why it can't be an option."
The pedicab vehicles cost about $3,500 to $4,000. There's also the costs of insurance and maintenance, and wages for employees - presumably many college-aged people who might like to pedal.
With 21 low gears, pedicabs are easy to pedal, said Annis, who thinks the downtown could support a fleet of 10.
Only time will tell if she can make it happen.
"We think it's a really cool idea," said Pete Hines, chairman of the advocacy group Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition. "It would raise (cycling) visibility and awareness."
Reporter Dave Gershman can be reached at 734-994-6818 or dgershman@annarbornews.com
Monday February 09, 2009, 7:48 AM
Imagine a fleet of bicycle-powered taxis, ready to be hailed on the street at a moment's notice to ferry people across downtown Ann Arbor.
It's an interesting idea - though still just an idea right now - put forward by Barbara Annis, a resident of the city's Old West Side.
To make it happen, she'll need money, so she's working on a grant proposal, and she needs a community organization as a partner. She sees the bicycle-powered taxis, called pedicabs, operating as a nonprofit organization in a joint venture with an already-established organization.
Those are big hurdles, but being able to ride in a bicycle-powered taxi, or pedicab, doesn't seem so farfetched in a city that prides itself on being bicycle friendly and environmentally conscious. And the concept is sparking some conversation.
"My idea is that the rides would be free and that the cabs would be supported through advertising and sponsorships," said Annis, a semi-retired freelance writer.
Who would use the pedicabs? Lots of people, she says. The downtown is walkable, but sometimes the feet aren't willing. Annis cites her own experience: When she walks to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, she frequently buys too much to lug it all home on foot.
Cities like New York and Grand Rapids have pedicabs, but Ann Arbor isn't as densely populated as a city like New York. And Ann Arbor's colder and often icier streets could be a drag during the winter, said Nancy Shore, director of Ann Arbor's getDowntown Program, which encourages alternate forms of transportation.
Pedicabs, usually seating two people, generally offer only limited protection from the elements.
But, Shore said, Annis has identified what's lacking in the city's transportation fabric - a public service people can use without timing their trips to a bus schedule. At least during the warmer months, Shore said, "I don't see why it can't be an option."
The pedicab vehicles cost about $3,500 to $4,000. There's also the costs of insurance and maintenance, and wages for employees - presumably many college-aged people who might like to pedal.
With 21 low gears, pedicabs are easy to pedal, said Annis, who thinks the downtown could support a fleet of 10.
Only time will tell if she can make it happen.
"We think it's a really cool idea," said Pete Hines, chairman of the advocacy group Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition. "It would raise (cycling) visibility and awareness."
Reporter Dave Gershman can be reached at 734-994-6818 or dgershman@annarbornews.com
Tuesday, February 3
Pedicab 'Chariots' put on ice
by brian x. mccrone / metro philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA. Ben Dambman got the idea for starting a pedicab company in Manayunk during an eight-month stay at his brother’s apartment in southern Florida.
Chariots of Philly owner Ben Dambman catches a ride from Roy Abrams, who could have been a driver if the company wasn’t shut down by the city. (Photo: Rikard Larma/Metro)
When he returned to Philadelphia in 2003 and realized not a single one of the unusual vehicles operated within city limits, he quickly got a business license and starting shuttling people around Main Street.
“He sold his car to get a couple of them,” said Ben’s brother, Tom Dambman, who later returned to Philadelphia to help his brother run the company, Chariots of Philly. “Philly is one of the only major cities that don’t have them.”
But after four years and hundreds of pedicab rides in Manayunk later, Philadelphia is again one of the only cities without them.
The city in October 2006 forced the Dambmans off the street after officials with the Department of Licenses and Inspections decided that there was no ordinance regulating pedicabs and ordered them to cease running the business, the Dambmans said.
“They actually impounded one of the pedicabs,” Tom Dambman said. “At that point, we were told we could not operate because no ordinance was in place.”
The problem arose after the Dambmans brought their four pedicabs to South Philadelphia for a couple of Eagles games in 2007 in hopes of expanding their business outside Manayunk.
“We don’t know who filed a complaint but it must have been someone important,” Tom Dambman said. Chariots of Philly have since taken their pedicabs to the Jersey Shore, where they operate during the summers in Avalon.
“It’s not regulated or anything but they’re happy we’re down there,” he said.
A spokeswoman for the city was unable to track down information about the business yesterday.
---
Name: Chariots of Philly
Address: Formerly of Manayunk, now operating summers in Avalon
Services: Four pedicabs, which shuttle customers much like taxi cabs, only the pedicabs use human energy to transport people instead of gas
Background: The company operated with a general business license from 2003 to 2007 until city officials forced the company to cease operations. The Dambmans are currently trying to gather support within City Council.
PHILADELPHIA. Ben Dambman got the idea for starting a pedicab company in Manayunk during an eight-month stay at his brother’s apartment in southern Florida.
Chariots of Philly owner Ben Dambman catches a ride from Roy Abrams, who could have been a driver if the company wasn’t shut down by the city. (Photo: Rikard Larma/Metro)
When he returned to Philadelphia in 2003 and realized not a single one of the unusual vehicles operated within city limits, he quickly got a business license and starting shuttling people around Main Street.
“He sold his car to get a couple of them,” said Ben’s brother, Tom Dambman, who later returned to Philadelphia to help his brother run the company, Chariots of Philly. “Philly is one of the only major cities that don’t have them.”
But after four years and hundreds of pedicab rides in Manayunk later, Philadelphia is again one of the only cities without them.
The city in October 2006 forced the Dambmans off the street after officials with the Department of Licenses and Inspections decided that there was no ordinance regulating pedicabs and ordered them to cease running the business, the Dambmans said.
“They actually impounded one of the pedicabs,” Tom Dambman said. “At that point, we were told we could not operate because no ordinance was in place.”
The problem arose after the Dambmans brought their four pedicabs to South Philadelphia for a couple of Eagles games in 2007 in hopes of expanding their business outside Manayunk.
“We don’t know who filed a complaint but it must have been someone important,” Tom Dambman said. Chariots of Philly have since taken their pedicabs to the Jersey Shore, where they operate during the summers in Avalon.
“It’s not regulated or anything but they’re happy we’re down there,” he said.
A spokeswoman for the city was unable to track down information about the business yesterday.
---
Name: Chariots of Philly
Address: Formerly of Manayunk, now operating summers in Avalon
Services: Four pedicabs, which shuttle customers much like taxi cabs, only the pedicabs use human energy to transport people instead of gas
Background: The company operated with a general business license from 2003 to 2007 until city officials forced the company to cease operations. The Dambmans are currently trying to gather support within City Council.
Sunday, February 1
A pedicab puts the city up really close
From Washington Post
By Andrea Sachs
NEW YORK - Among the experiences that make one go "Eek!," tooling around Manhattan in a rickshaw ranks high, falling somewhere between a cab ride during rush hour and walking through Times Square after the theaters let out. Some of the bike-drawn buggies come equipped with seat belts; others don't. You decide your threshold of thrill.
"There's a real rush going through traffic," says Jacob Press, with the Manhattan Rickshaw Co., the longest continuously operating pedicab outfit in New York City. "We can always find a way through."
I have explored the city that never stops by foot, bus and bike. But I want to sightsee in a vehicle that is intimate with the urban landscape but doesn't require any energy expenditure. So I call Manhattan Rickshaw and book Press and his quads.
Rickshaws are pervasive in Asia, where the economical bicycles with big backseats jostle for space among mopeds, cars and swarms of pedestrians. In the United States, they're more of a novelty than a necessity, but they're a rousing ride nonetheless. Though passengers are not as vulnerable as the biker, they're still thrust into the chaotic street scene.
"It's a combination of entertainment and transportation," says Manhattan Rickshaw owner Peter Meitzler. "It's fun and environmental and fills a niche."
In 1994, he and a group of entrepreneurs brought a dozen pedicabs to Manhattan, a nervy experiment in a city so dependent on taxis. To drum up interest, the rides were free. Today, a number of companies send nearly 500 pedicabs onto the streets. The taxi alternatives, which can be hailed on nearly every busy corner, charge $15 to $40 for a 10- to 30-minute ride.
In Central Park, where I meet my driver, pedicabs congregate alongside horse-drawn carriages, vying for passengers with a romantic streak. Some operators also employ licensed guides capable of pedaling, pointing and narrating without crashing.
"We cover a lot of ground," Press says me as I climb into the 150-pound contraption, stashing my bags in a compartment. "In the pedicab, you can see the landscape change and are close enough to see New Yorkers in their daily life." (We discussed the price and the route beforehand. My only request for the 90-minute tour was to cruise through Times Square during rush hour; he balked, then conceded.)
The 29-year-old New Yorker has a master's degree in urban planning and is keen to share his advanced-degree education. "You see layers of the city," he says while pedaling away, his steady voice cutting through the street noise. "It's looking forward and backward."
I was hoping Press would spend more time glancing forward, at the oncoming traffic, than back, at me. We start with a spin through Central Park, where he singles out the Ghostbusters building and Sheep Meadow, named for the lawn mowers of yore.
As we exit the park and join the stream of traffic, staying to the far left, Press describes the passing structures, his eyes ping-ponging between me, the sites under discussion (such as the Plaza Hotel, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Trump Tower), and the surrounding bedlam.
"We're faster than traffic," he says, swooshing around a double-parked minivan, then seamlessly returning to the bike lane.
Seated on a padded bench protected by elbow-high sides and a convertible canopy, I feel as though I'm nestled in a cocoon and am enough at ease to give Press 90 percent of my attention. (The remaining 10 percent is busy being a backseat driver: "Parked car on left!" "Pothole ahead!" "New Jersey plates coming at you!")
"We've had fender benders, but no fatalities," he says. Well, that was comforting.
From the Central Park area, Press cruises through Midtown and cuts through the heart of Times Square. At 45th Street, he removes the top, and with clear skies overhead, I watch the giant faces of billboard models float by like clouds. At a red light, I eavesdrop on sidewalk life.
Onward we coast, through a living documentary of landmark structures (the Chrysler Building, New York Public Library, Flatiron Building), complete with narrative. Press never gasps for breath or falters for topics. He explains such architectural designs as art deco detailing and cornices. Then he riffs on ill-behaved drivers.
"I've given up on out-of-town cars," he says, referring to a sedan from Maryland that cuts us off. After a Jersey driver gives us the middle-finger salute, I ask about vehicular abuse. "I've had coffee thrown on me," he says, "and almost got doored."
In Greenwich Village, Press steers us onto narrow streets enclosed by centuries-old buildings. We also take a spin through SoHo and Little Italy, where Press' description of food at Lombardi's (America's first pizzeria) made me wonder if he was carb-deficient.
With evening approaching, Press heads uptown. As we crawl through Chinatown, Press points out one final attraction: the spot where he almost got smacked by a car door.
By Andrea Sachs
NEW YORK - Among the experiences that make one go "Eek!," tooling around Manhattan in a rickshaw ranks high, falling somewhere between a cab ride during rush hour and walking through Times Square after the theaters let out. Some of the bike-drawn buggies come equipped with seat belts; others don't. You decide your threshold of thrill.
"There's a real rush going through traffic," says Jacob Press, with the Manhattan Rickshaw Co., the longest continuously operating pedicab outfit in New York City. "We can always find a way through."
I have explored the city that never stops by foot, bus and bike. But I want to sightsee in a vehicle that is intimate with the urban landscape but doesn't require any energy expenditure. So I call Manhattan Rickshaw and book Press and his quads.
Rickshaws are pervasive in Asia, where the economical bicycles with big backseats jostle for space among mopeds, cars and swarms of pedestrians. In the United States, they're more of a novelty than a necessity, but they're a rousing ride nonetheless. Though passengers are not as vulnerable as the biker, they're still thrust into the chaotic street scene.
"It's a combination of entertainment and transportation," says Manhattan Rickshaw owner Peter Meitzler. "It's fun and environmental and fills a niche."
In 1994, he and a group of entrepreneurs brought a dozen pedicabs to Manhattan, a nervy experiment in a city so dependent on taxis. To drum up interest, the rides were free. Today, a number of companies send nearly 500 pedicabs onto the streets. The taxi alternatives, which can be hailed on nearly every busy corner, charge $15 to $40 for a 10- to 30-minute ride.
In Central Park, where I meet my driver, pedicabs congregate alongside horse-drawn carriages, vying for passengers with a romantic streak. Some operators also employ licensed guides capable of pedaling, pointing and narrating without crashing.
"We cover a lot of ground," Press says me as I climb into the 150-pound contraption, stashing my bags in a compartment. "In the pedicab, you can see the landscape change and are close enough to see New Yorkers in their daily life." (We discussed the price and the route beforehand. My only request for the 90-minute tour was to cruise through Times Square during rush hour; he balked, then conceded.)
The 29-year-old New Yorker has a master's degree in urban planning and is keen to share his advanced-degree education. "You see layers of the city," he says while pedaling away, his steady voice cutting through the street noise. "It's looking forward and backward."
I was hoping Press would spend more time glancing forward, at the oncoming traffic, than back, at me. We start with a spin through Central Park, where he singles out the Ghostbusters building and Sheep Meadow, named for the lawn mowers of yore.
As we exit the park and join the stream of traffic, staying to the far left, Press describes the passing structures, his eyes ping-ponging between me, the sites under discussion (such as the Plaza Hotel, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Trump Tower), and the surrounding bedlam.
"We're faster than traffic," he says, swooshing around a double-parked minivan, then seamlessly returning to the bike lane.
Seated on a padded bench protected by elbow-high sides and a convertible canopy, I feel as though I'm nestled in a cocoon and am enough at ease to give Press 90 percent of my attention. (The remaining 10 percent is busy being a backseat driver: "Parked car on left!" "Pothole ahead!" "New Jersey plates coming at you!")
"We've had fender benders, but no fatalities," he says. Well, that was comforting.
From the Central Park area, Press cruises through Midtown and cuts through the heart of Times Square. At 45th Street, he removes the top, and with clear skies overhead, I watch the giant faces of billboard models float by like clouds. At a red light, I eavesdrop on sidewalk life.
Onward we coast, through a living documentary of landmark structures (the Chrysler Building, New York Public Library, Flatiron Building), complete with narrative. Press never gasps for breath or falters for topics. He explains such architectural designs as art deco detailing and cornices. Then he riffs on ill-behaved drivers.
"I've given up on out-of-town cars," he says, referring to a sedan from Maryland that cuts us off. After a Jersey driver gives us the middle-finger salute, I ask about vehicular abuse. "I've had coffee thrown on me," he says, "and almost got doored."
In Greenwich Village, Press steers us onto narrow streets enclosed by centuries-old buildings. We also take a spin through SoHo and Little Italy, where Press' description of food at Lombardi's (America's first pizzeria) made me wonder if he was carb-deficient.
With evening approaching, Press heads uptown. As we crawl through Chinatown, Press points out one final attraction: the spot where he almost got smacked by a car door.
Pedaling his patrons
From Arizona Daily Star
Entrepreneur powers his one-man horseless carriage during the wee hours Downtown
By Valerie Vinyard
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.31.2009
Wes Weisheit vigorously pedaled his bike along North Fourth Avenue, pulling a reporter in the "cab" behind. The gentle bumps during the ride seemed to echo the pulsating beats from the Bose stereo attached to his bike.
This open-air taxi burns no gasoline and provides a leisurely ride to your destination.
Otherwise known as pedicabs, rickshaws or bike taxis, you've probably seen them cruising the streets during University of Arizona football games or late night on Fourth Avenue.
The pedicabs are free to ride, but the lively individuals, such as Weisheit, who power them work for tips.
The 46-year-old prefers to call the pedal-powered people-mover a rickshaw.
"It kind of gives it that foreign influence," said Weisheit, who works most weekends on Fourth Avenue starting about midnight.
He's pedaled people during pub crawls, UA football games and some basketball games.
And, of course, there's St. Patrick's Day. "That's the best," said Weisheit, whose usually starts around 3 p.m. on that day.
Riders include anyone from students to bar-goers to senior citizens, depending on the time and where they're riding.
You often can spot a pedicab along Fourth Avenue or Downtown on weekends from midnight to about 3 a.m.
A pedicab usually is a bench seat on wheels enclosed by arm- and backrests. A bicycle — and its operator — serve as the "engine."
Larger cities such as Phoenix and tourist towns like Key West, Fla., have an abundance of pedicabs in their downtowns. Tucson has just a few.
Weisheit first worked for Sean Dile, who bought his $4,000 pedicab in November 2007 from Colorado-based Main Street Pedicabs. The two met in December 2007, and Weisheit worked for him for about five months before branching out with his own Main Street pedicab in May. His model is tricked out with a $5,000 Bose stereo and gas-charged Volkswagen shock absorbers.
"The reason I came up with the idea is because I live by The Shanty and I wanted to go to Congress and not have to walk," said Dile, who works at New Empire Food Market on West Ninth Street and commissions out his pedicab.
Weisheit said he's logged about 1,500 miles on his rickshaw and probably carried 2,500 passengers.
"I think they do have a place here," said Matt Zoll, bicycle and pedestrian program manager for the Pima County Department of Transportation. "It would be nice to see a successful one here — they have tremendous capabilities."
Thom Devrie has hitched rides on a pedicab along Fourth Avenue. He said he likes the convenience of it when he's on a date.
"Sometimes she's wearing high heels and it's hard for her to walk very far," said the 22-year-old, who has tipped about $5 each time he's used one. "It gets us to the next place faster and easier."
Besides the hefty initial investment, owning a pedicab isn't as simple as it seems.
"It's not easy to make money at this," Weisheit said. "A lot of people think that they can do it, but they can't."
Dile agreed.
"You can't just sit on the corner and wait for people to ride," he said.
Though Dile and Weisheit agree that it would be nice to operate the pedicabs during the day, they said demand tends to be low.
"People are on the Avenue in the daytime, but they tend to be sober and don't ride," Weisheit said.
As to how far they'll ride people around, well, that depends.
"Far is relative to how many people you've got," Weisheit said.
He has crammed six "small" students in his cab, which comfortably seats three to four. He said he's carried about 800 pounds before, and he estimated that his cab alone weighs 170 pounds.
Weisheit said the average tip runs about $10. Of course, some riders don't tip. To velvet-tongued pedicab drivers like Weisheit, non-tippers are few and far between. He usually persuades riders to give him something, even if it's pizza or beer.
The real money is in the advertising on the cab. Dile's rickshaw has had up to eight ads on it, from Nova Home Loans to Bison Witches Bar and Deli.
Weisheit mainly sticks to area advertisers like Brooklyn Pizza Co. and Ordinary Bike Shop. Depending on the placement of the ad — the back is the best spot — revenue varies, but the ads bring in hundreds a month.
David Tang, the 27-year-old owner of Ordinary Bike Shop, is pleased with the attention his ad brings.
"It's great — it gives us lots of local exposure," Tang said. "When members of the community are involved, it's always great. It does a lot of local outreach."
Erik Ryberg, self-described Tucson Bike Lawyer, thinks pedicabs are a great idea.
"I had some friends come into town to take the bar exam," he said. "I wanted to show them old parts of Tucson and El Presidio, so they rode in the back of (Weisheit's) pedicab.
"It was a great way of showing a couple of friends from Maryland what Tucson is like."
Contact reporter Valerie Vinyard at 573-4136 or at vvinyard@azstarnet.com.
Entrepreneur powers his one-man horseless carriage during the wee hours Downtown
By Valerie Vinyard
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.31.2009
Wes Weisheit vigorously pedaled his bike along North Fourth Avenue, pulling a reporter in the "cab" behind. The gentle bumps during the ride seemed to echo the pulsating beats from the Bose stereo attached to his bike.
This open-air taxi burns no gasoline and provides a leisurely ride to your destination.
Otherwise known as pedicabs, rickshaws or bike taxis, you've probably seen them cruising the streets during University of Arizona football games or late night on Fourth Avenue.
The pedicabs are free to ride, but the lively individuals, such as Weisheit, who power them work for tips.
The 46-year-old prefers to call the pedal-powered people-mover a rickshaw.
"It kind of gives it that foreign influence," said Weisheit, who works most weekends on Fourth Avenue starting about midnight.
He's pedaled people during pub crawls, UA football games and some basketball games.
And, of course, there's St. Patrick's Day. "That's the best," said Weisheit, whose usually starts around 3 p.m. on that day.
Riders include anyone from students to bar-goers to senior citizens, depending on the time and where they're riding.
You often can spot a pedicab along Fourth Avenue or Downtown on weekends from midnight to about 3 a.m.
A pedicab usually is a bench seat on wheels enclosed by arm- and backrests. A bicycle — and its operator — serve as the "engine."
Larger cities such as Phoenix and tourist towns like Key West, Fla., have an abundance of pedicabs in their downtowns. Tucson has just a few.
Weisheit first worked for Sean Dile, who bought his $4,000 pedicab in November 2007 from Colorado-based Main Street Pedicabs. The two met in December 2007, and Weisheit worked for him for about five months before branching out with his own Main Street pedicab in May. His model is tricked out with a $5,000 Bose stereo and gas-charged Volkswagen shock absorbers.
"The reason I came up with the idea is because I live by The Shanty and I wanted to go to Congress and not have to walk," said Dile, who works at New Empire Food Market on West Ninth Street and commissions out his pedicab.
Weisheit said he's logged about 1,500 miles on his rickshaw and probably carried 2,500 passengers.
"I think they do have a place here," said Matt Zoll, bicycle and pedestrian program manager for the Pima County Department of Transportation. "It would be nice to see a successful one here — they have tremendous capabilities."
Thom Devrie has hitched rides on a pedicab along Fourth Avenue. He said he likes the convenience of it when he's on a date.
"Sometimes she's wearing high heels and it's hard for her to walk very far," said the 22-year-old, who has tipped about $5 each time he's used one. "It gets us to the next place faster and easier."
Besides the hefty initial investment, owning a pedicab isn't as simple as it seems.
"It's not easy to make money at this," Weisheit said. "A lot of people think that they can do it, but they can't."
Dile agreed.
"You can't just sit on the corner and wait for people to ride," he said.
Though Dile and Weisheit agree that it would be nice to operate the pedicabs during the day, they said demand tends to be low.
"People are on the Avenue in the daytime, but they tend to be sober and don't ride," Weisheit said.
As to how far they'll ride people around, well, that depends.
"Far is relative to how many people you've got," Weisheit said.
He has crammed six "small" students in his cab, which comfortably seats three to four. He said he's carried about 800 pounds before, and he estimated that his cab alone weighs 170 pounds.
Weisheit said the average tip runs about $10. Of course, some riders don't tip. To velvet-tongued pedicab drivers like Weisheit, non-tippers are few and far between. He usually persuades riders to give him something, even if it's pizza or beer.
The real money is in the advertising on the cab. Dile's rickshaw has had up to eight ads on it, from Nova Home Loans to Bison Witches Bar and Deli.
Weisheit mainly sticks to area advertisers like Brooklyn Pizza Co. and Ordinary Bike Shop. Depending on the placement of the ad — the back is the best spot — revenue varies, but the ads bring in hundreds a month.
David Tang, the 27-year-old owner of Ordinary Bike Shop, is pleased with the attention his ad brings.
"It's great — it gives us lots of local exposure," Tang said. "When members of the community are involved, it's always great. It does a lot of local outreach."
Erik Ryberg, self-described Tucson Bike Lawyer, thinks pedicabs are a great idea.
"I had some friends come into town to take the bar exam," he said. "I wanted to show them old parts of Tucson and El Presidio, so they rode in the back of (Weisheit's) pedicab.
"It was a great way of showing a couple of friends from Maryland what Tucson is like."
Contact reporter Valerie Vinyard at 573-4136 or at vvinyard@azstarnet.com.
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