Dependent on Independence.

The independent nature of the pedicab driver has often baffled me.

I am an entrepreneur, an artist of sorts. I am resourceful, motivated, and willing to work hard. I work hard because I have bills to pay; namely things like rent, child support, a precarious biking habit. The biking habit makes me pedicab, which is self-feeding. But, folks, one cannot survive in the Pedicab industry as unmotivated or uncaring.

For the time that I have been in the employment force, I have never worked less than 2-3 jobs at a time. I hold a full time job as a professional, hold several professional licenses, and am beginning a journey into culinary arts. For me, I have pedicabbed for full time, part time, and this year, seasonally. I pay responsible 'adult' like things like mortgages, car insurance, and have never missed or been late on a credit card payment.

Why do I do it? Am I living out of my boundaries? Should I just quit and sell some stuff, and call it quits? This garbage about people 'who have nothing, need nothing' is garbage. I am an avid proponent of self-reflection, but along with that, self-improvement.

What makes me different? What makes independent, 'ankle-biting' drivers different than I? While I step away from getting on a high-horse, I, like many drivers, have a goal, and use this ob as supplementary income.

I am not the ideal driver. For a long time, I thought I could be. But, we get in accidents, take too many people, and burn ourselves out. How could you burn yourself out by riding a bike?

The question of responsibility is one that baffles me more than anything. How can drivers drive without insurance, sublet their cabs to any unemployed hungry for money- students, in hopes that they can create a passive, easy income?

It occurs to me that the independent driver can either a) be a part of society or b) not be a part of society. The people I compare the irresponsible driver to are the guys who hand out 'party cards.' They are the caliber of people who hand out cards stating free drinks for ladies (only), talking about the next fake party. They are the people who touch other's car and windshields with their flyers. They are the people who, regardless of the functionality of it, disregard a social norm, and think that the rules do not apply. They are graffiti people, who seem to think that any public property is their art playground (bad, at that), who just cannot fit in to a society advanced enough to construct a system. They are outlaws.

Progress is not being an outlaw. Progress does not mean radical opinion or radical behavior. Progress is not a disregard for rules. However, progress does happen when people work within rules and interpret them- within a normal reason.

The dudes from San Diego, Denver, or Key West, we are addressing a contingent of people who want to turn our industry into an industry where the opinions of the few (greedy, idiotic, self-involved, predatory) cabbers take to the streets, and charge whatever they think is necessary, and what will make their beer habit for the next couple of hours. It is irresponsible to think that the rules do not apply to 'you people.' HAH! Calling us irresponsible. This is a crossroads. Call it a revolution (no pun intended), but change comes from people following rules of specified municipalities, making contacts, and affecting change where you can.

Fighting the system the way that these people fight is ludicrous. "Screw you, security guy." "F-U Cop!" This is the behavior of weak people who do not know how to play well with others, fit into a society that needs a certain amount of agreement, and rebels who literally have no cause, other than their own greedy need to pay their bills at whatever cost. You aren't there to grow the industry, you aren't on the streets to turn the pedicab into something. You are there because you had no direction, and found something that you had the freedom enough to strike back at those who slighted you in whatever monetary way you could.

I state: I am in the pedicab industry because I love it. I like the entrepreneurial nature of it, I like the hussle, I enjoy the social aspect of it, and like the prospect of the alternative energy deal, despite my apprehension to the stupid, foregone conclusion of global warming. That opinion will be another day, but folks, com'n. For once, do something that is good for someone other than yourself. Quit drinking your beers whilst pedicabbing, stop gouging the rides, take a class, get a license, insure your goddamn cab.

I fear that the industry will only devolve into something of disrespect. What will it take to find out where this thing needs to go? We are all kooky, we all have some motivation. But work toward something. I propose some kind of summit where we all can turn this into something worthwhile. This isn't the big kid on the block, this isn't big brother.

I had a fellow driver try to childishly say 'you are ruining our industry, and our community.' To that, I say bullshit. Pardon my expression. There was never a community before Big Tree, it was the people with the maintained cabs and the company, versus people who thought they could make a quick buck, and make people pay. You non-conforming drivers are fine. I encourage competition. But for the sake of something greater, be a part of something, don't just hate your clientele by taking their money. The pedicab industry is bigger than that. Help us grow it into something, or don't be a part of it at all.

Best,

Beefsteak.