I’ve heard two reports of pedicabs already roaming the streets of Decatur.
Neil ran into the owner this morning writes in with a couple details.
He two pedicabs and will be at the Music Festivals and all. He also wants to set up tours and such. For questions or a picture, call Michael at 920-371-2227 or go to his website. [not a lot of specific Decatur info on the website yet]
Anyone been on one yet? Or better yet…have a pic?
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I thought this was a mobile pedicure/manicure service that would come to your house. Doh!
Thank goodness they went with this and not “Pedocabs.”
Mike seems really nice and I hope it works out for him. His permit is only on a trial basis, the city wants to see how it works out over the next six months. It really could be a great way to get from one end of town to the other when you are with your 3 year old that does not want to walk it. It also looks fun. I believe for now, there is also no cost! So go try it out!!! I am. I also plan to bike with Mike to tell him more about Decatur and its many highlights and some share some of its great history. Pedicabs in Decatur, YES!
Here are two pics: http://tr.im/kPof
My question: Shouldn’t he be wearing a helmet if he’s advertising for “Atlanta Bicycle Education?”
The helmet does not make cycling safe, it is the operator knowledge. The helmet protects the only thing doctors can not repair, the brain. If I chose to wear a helmet, would the general public see my vehicle as being unsafe? And if I was wearing a helmet, would you take a ride without wearing a helmet? Would you suggest that I carry a box of helmets, of varying sizes, and fit them to each riders head? (the only way they are effective) Then the helmet could not be used again until it was disinfected. How many helmets would I have to carry to work a 12 hour shift? There is a law in Georgia that all bicycle operators UNDER the age of 16 wear a helmet. The law does not require adults to wear one. BEA (and I) do encourage helmet use for ALL bicycle riders. The three wheeled pedicab is a stable vehicle, and much different than a bicycle. It is near impossible to tip over, or roll. If I flat, it will not fall down, or crash. That can not be said with a two wheeler. And, the pedicab gear ratio can achieve a top speed of 11 miles an hour, so the speed of the accidents that are life threatening to a bicyclist are never realized. These are just a few of the reasons Easy Living Pedicab operators do not wear helmets. If a trained operator wants to wear one, they are allowed to. I hope that answers your question, Dave.
Now, if we could just get all bicycle riders to obey traffics laws…..
Steve – I hear ya there!! Many cyclist are clueless how to operate their vehicle. Come to think of it, many motor vehicle drivers do not obey the rules?? Where is the enforcement??
I’d love to see this service succeed, but I’m pessimistic. Decatur is too car-friendly and possibly too small. Why take a pedicab from one end of Ponce to the other when it’s really not a very long walk? If you take a pedicab to Oakhurst what’s to guarantee there will be one to take you back downtown when you’re ready?
Seems like maybe an option for them to generate revenue during down times would be to incorporate a personal delivery/errand service for the downtown area when there are no festivals/events going on. If you need something quick across town but don’t have time to walk it or don’t want to worry about parking, etc, let the pedicab service take care of it for you.
To FMKats, it’s called a cell phone. Our operators have one with them at all times. We give our cards to all who we know need to get back to where we picked them up. The last two post are fantastic ideas! We’d love to provide these services. We call them pedi-concierges….Look for us next weekend at the Arts Festival
Had a wonderful ride in a pedicab today! Was supposed to already be home from the Decatur Arts Festival but had gotten delayed buying pottery and jewelry. I had a 20 minute walk ahead of me and knew I was in deep doo-doo with hubby and kids waiting. When I saw the bright yellow Pedicab in front of the Old Court House, I remembered this blog and inquired whether I could get a ride. For $5, I was home in 3 minutes and my kids couldn’t believe their eyes! The looks I got from pedestrians and homeowners and the family’s surprise made it worth every cent. I felt like an ancient dignitary in a rickshaw! I can highly recommend this experience.
Despite Mike’s thoughtful and well-articulated rationale, I still think that he and passengers should wear helmets, if for no other reason than the good advertising that would give bicycle safety. Five sizes of adjustable helmets hanging off of the pedicab would only add to the quaintness of the vehicle. Bicycle rental shops at the beach provide helmets.
Since I can provide my own kids with helmets, I’d consider Pedicab as a great substitute for the endless shuttling I do around town. It’s wonderful that schools and kid activities are all so close in Decatur but there’s only so many times a day that a Mom can cross Commerce before it gets old (and that doesn’t even count going to work!). But a seatbelt would be nice for the kids under 100 lbs. They bounce and slide easily and may not have the good sense to sit back and hang on.
Or carpool kids around to activities, especially during the hectic, school-free, camp- and activity-full summer vacation months! Then it would be a Pedi-pedicab!
Seriously, everyone would have to wear helmets, but this could work! Kids would love it!