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
Showing posts with label pedicab news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pedicab news. Show all posts
Monday, February 9
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.
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