Video: Rickshaws add to evolving downtown Raleigh

I've been meaning to post this for awhile. Unfortunately, Blogger Beta doesn't seem to want to allow me to post anything with javascript, so you'll just have to visit the WRAL web site or the Raleigh Rickshaw web site to see this fabulous video.

This news piece was produced and aired during Greg's trip to Raleigh for our 4-day Operator's Training at the end of March. It was totally unscripted, but everyone, including the passengers, managed to say all the right things. (When did Donald become a ventriloquist?)

It's an awesome free commercial! Doesn't get much better than this.

Nice guns, Brian!

Sheldon Brown has ridden into the sunset

There has been a loss of one of the greatest known wrenches. We all lost Sheldon Brown recently after he suffered a massive heart attack.


Sheldon Brown's website is know as one of the best, and in my opinion is THE BEST, single cycling web resource. Years ago, in the early days of my wrenching when I needed information I would always go to Sheldon's website and almost always find what I needed. His website was one of my first web surfing experiences.

His humor is something that always makes me giggle like a little kid when I read it. I spent hours and hours at his website reading everything I could and still go there when I need more. His writing was always in a style that made it easily understood and approachable for anyone who want to give it a go.

I want to thank Sheldon for all his help for me and the shop I worked in.

May Sheldon always be riding his bike where ever he is with every gear shift smooth, brakes working perfectly and every bearing running smooth as silk. I know every bike he will touch will match what he expects in his own. I for one will miss him as will the entire cycling community. RIP Sheldon Brown

Taxi company wants to be the greenest

We celebrate Metro Taxi for going green!

We met Katie from Metro Taxi the other night and she was nice enough to send me this article. Fortunately in Denver, taxis and pedicabs get along well and we promote and refer each other. We understand the different markets we each serve. In fact, when someone calls directory assistance for a taxi, our number comes up; so we get lots of calls for taxi rides that we can't fulfill. After explaining that we're the bike taxis, we give them the phone number for one or two taxi companies in town.

One evening we were at a local business networking event talking with a rep from Yellow Cab when Greg's cell phone rang. The woman on the other end was looking for a taxi to take her to the airport. Greg politely asked her to hold on for a moment, then turned to the rep and said, "I think you'll want to take this one," as he handed him his phone.

Metro Taxi is Proving Eco-Friendly Investments Pay for Themselves
Contributed by: Katie Facchinello

On Feb. 14, Metro Taxi, Denver's largest taxi service, announced the addition of 10 hybrid taxis to its fleet, bringing the total number of hybrids on the road to 20. Metro Taxi launched Denver's First hybrid taxi in May 2007 and since then has quietly added hybrid taxis, implemented other environmentally friendly practices and nowproclaims to be the greenest taxi company in the country.

Chris Cotter, the Director of Sustainable Initiatives for Metro Taxi explains "no other taxi company in America has made as large of a capital investment in eco-friendly services or implemented such a holistic approach to reducing their overall carbon footprint. We are footing the bill 100% for our eco-friendly investments and happy to report that it's an investment that has benefited our bottom line".

Metro Taxi is eliminating the Culture of Waste at it corporate facility in Denver, Colorado and implementing environmental projects that will pay for themselves in the long-term. Hoping to be a shining example of a small business making environmental investments for a sound economic future.

"Green is hot right now. There's no question consumers are increasingly using environmental factors in making seemingly everyday decisions," said Denver Greening Director Parry Burnap. " Companies like Metro who step out ahead of their pack now, will stand out in the crowd when the Democratic convention comes to town. While they will be showing off their own company, they will be contributing to our efforts to convey Denver's collective aspirations and hard work to be a truly sustainable city.We applaud Metro's practical commitment to sustainability throughout their operations from the maintenance floor to the vehicles they buy. We hope they are setting a standard that others will follow."

Metro Taxi has invested in a waste oil furnace which burns used oil from preventative maintenance on its taxis to heat its vehicle maintenance facility. Prior to the installation of the waste oil furnace, Metro Taxi paid approximately $2,600 monthly to heat the building and now pays nothing!

Metro Taxi has replaced all of the windows at its 29,000 sq. ft. facility with double paned, low energy windowsin an effort to reduce the amount of energy used for heating and cooling by Metro Taxi's corporate offices.In November '06 Metro Taxi paid $1,200 to heat the 3-story building, as opposed to just $100 in November '07.In December '06, Metro Taxi paid in excess of $2,000 in heating costs as opposed to $764 in December '07.

Metro Taxi is also set to retrofit all of the lighting fixtures with energy efficient lighting, which will reduce the energy needs of the corporate facility by 50-60%.

-This project will result in 14.3 kW removed from the energy grid and 53,539 kWhr saved per year, preventing 367.81 Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Emissions.

-The affect of this project is the same as saving 306 Acres of Pine or Fir Forest or 9,563 seedlings grown for 10 years or saving 41,931 Gallons of Gasoline.

Metro Taxi's goal is to replace the entire fleet with hybrid taxis and continue projects like these along the way to "green" the company on and off the road. The hope is that the people of Denver will continue to use Metro Taxi (303) 333-3333 and support the environmental effort the company is making in the Denver Metro Area.

Great news from our students

This week we got great news from two of our newest students who were in our Weekend Intensive last weekend. The City Council in Kansas City, Missouri approved the ordinance and will allow pedicabs to operate. And the City Council in Newport, Rhode Island has approved the first pedicab business license. One of the issues we discussed at length was how to work with municipalities, so we were really happy to get the news. Congratulations!

"Andrew here. The city of Newport has granted me permission to operate my pedicab business! I am ECSTATIC! I have lots to do now! I want to thank you both again for the knowledge and the confidence Big Tree has given me! I'm sure I will be in touch on a regular basis to let you know of all the great changes I am about to experience, and of course to ask some questions and seek your guidance. Thanks So Much!"

We'll be looking forward to getting updates from everyone -- press and pictures!

Happy Valentine's Day Pedicabbies!

A quick note to our drivers to tell them (and everyone who reads this blog) just how much we LOVE and APPRECIATE them!

We probably don't tell them often enough what an awesome group we have right now. So this is it.

Thanks to each and every one of you!

Karma Rides...

OK, everyone is familiar with the concept of a karma ride. It is usually a short ride that takes place at least once in a shift. Then there are free rides that turn into a trip for a tip. I have spent afternoons offering rides "on the house" that are just as profitable as nights when I tell customers that I work for tips. (And I know that there are others who could say the same.)

Well last Saturday night I met an elderly lady who missed her bus and was stuck downtown. (She was frail, and walked with what I would describe as a slow and wobbly step. She reminded me of Miss Havisham from Charles Dickens' Great Expectations.) It was 8 pm and the buses stopped running at 7 pm. I asked the woman if she could call someone to pick her up. She said that she had just moved and had no phone and no one to call to pick her up. I asked her how far away she lived and she said that it was not that far and gave me the name of one major street by her home.

I seriously considered taking her to a taxi and having the taxi driver take her home at my expense. I quickly discarded this notion as I replayed her climbing into my cab with my assistance. Could I trust a taxicab driver with my passenger? I decided that I could not. Now that I was committed to taking the old woman home I started asking her what landmarks she could remember were near her new home. She narrowed down my options by informing me that she lived near a corner liquor store located next to a small restaurant.

Taking what I know of the area where she lives I started riding for the street she could remember the name of. I figured that if I started riding that she would eventually see the liquor store and/or the restaurant and we'd find her home in no time. I figured that she lived in one of two places and started riding hoping that I was correct. As we entered the first intersection I thought might be the correct one I asked her if she saw anything that looked familiar. She responded that she did not. I told her not to worry because it was just a matter of time before we arrived at her home.

Well, about a 1/2 mile later we approached the second intersection that fit her criteria. I again asked her if anything looked familiar. She paused, squinted and then recognized the two corner businesses. I asked her which way did I needed to drive and she told me to turn left, which I did as soon as the light turned green.

After a left turn and then another right turn we approached her home. I pulled up along side the curb next to her residence and dismounted from my pedicab. As I reached out to help my passenger off the pedicab she started crying. Through her tears she thanked me and apologized for having no money to give me. I explained that I didn't want her money and that I was just glad that she was home now. After helping her down off my cab she continued to cry as she gave me the tightest hug she could offer.

I am by no means the nicest man in the world, but for a moment last Saturday night, I was the nicest man in the world for an elderly woman who I have never met. And that is the best tip of all.

Heartbreaking fares

Recently our company was contracted by the city to provide pedicabs during the lunch hour (10 am to 2 pm) downtown. Over the past couple of weeks a majority of my passengers have been those that work downtown offset with the occasional jurist escaping for the lunch recess. I love my job! I get to exercise, conduct social experiments and make a little money on the side.

In riding downtown at lunch time I have come to know a new type of pedicab passenger. They are not your average passengers. They don't want to go to lunch. They aren't interested in going shopping. And they aren't in the least bit interested in walking and getting their exercise. So who are these passengers that I speak of? The passengers to whom I refer are the children and their mothers (and fathers) who for whatever reason are only allowed supervised visits with their children.

Last Friday I was stopped by a mother who asked about getting a ride for herself and her two kids. I said sure. Then she paused, turned to the CPS (Child Protective Services) worker to ask permission to ride my pedicab. He consented and then told me that we could only go so far as he had to be able to see us at all times. It was a strange feeling being watched. I could only wonder what the parent must be going through. How awkward a moment is it to spend quality time with your children knowing that there is someone looking over your shoulder the whole time.

Again, I don't know the circumstances that led to this arrangement. There is a plethora of reasons that I won't attempt to explain, rationalize. I could not help feel sorry for the mother and the children. The children were rather subdued despite my efforts to distract them with my skill at weaving between a series of light poles at slow speed. I guess that they too could feel the watchful eye of the CPS worker.

Today I gave yet another ride to a mother who was spending time with her children under the watchful eye of the CPS worker. Today's ride was different as the CPS worker joined the mother and her children for a ride through downtown. Together they enjoyed the ride while the children laughed and had a good time. I imagine that there will be other mothers (fathers) with their children seeking to escape if only for moment.

As a pedicab rider there are those times when my job can be physically demanding. After a long night the parking garage gets harder to climb. But after today I am convinced that the CPS worker has a tougher job than I do.

You take the good with the bad.

I just finished another night on the street. It was about to the point of ludicrous, but, I quit. A former blog talked about knowing when to hold 'em and knowing when to fold 'em. Well, I have something to say.

In watching and making an attempt to bike this evening, I found something out: I have nothing to prove and and that riding a pedicab is about attitude, but there are things you can't control, one of which being weather.

I knew it was going to rain. It was acting like it might be an off-and-on night, with a little rain. Nevertheless, it became downpour that lasted several hours. Lesson: Take the good with the bad.

I quit early. I got sick of my hands being cold, trying to pedal a pedicab in the rain for a few dollars more. I was cold. wet, and soaked to the bone. So, I reminisced about my days as a rookie driver (rookie tatoos and chain bites), and thought about my soaking feet. It happens to us all. The silver lining in this is that even I, who worked several hours and made half of what I wanted to, realized that the terrible circumstances are terrible. However, I know that when I have a sunny, perfect day (like St. Paddy's day, which, I may remind you was an epic day in itself, moreso than New Year's eve) absolutely giving the power to make money, there is nothing better.

I won't just ride big events or ride nice days. I ride when I can, to make the money I need to make. But, those days aren't always perfect. Entre' tonight. Lesson here: Those who come out in the cold, rain, negative temps, or snow (and I have the numbness in my hands to prove it) are the backbone of this industry! They are trying to make something out of nothing. Take this as a lesson: when it is cold, who is going to take the inebreated to their respective hotels and destinations? The people out tonight were soldiers and warriors in the pedicab game. They were willing to brave it and see if they could make a few dollars. But, I say, dedication and sheer stubbornness make a driver go out in the most dire of circumstances for return.

Keep this in mind, budding drivers and companies. Take the good with the bad. When it is good, it is great. When it is bad, don't bitch or complain. We all know that slowness is a payback for Broncos games, St. Paddy's day, or New Years. Take it all, because otherwise, you just become another driver with complaints that can't be solved. Off to the dryer!

Plenty for everyone

There is an ongoing battle between taxi drivers and pedicabs, not just here in the U.S., but around the world (as revealed in this post from a taxi driver in Perth). Taxis seem to be okay with the pedicabs until they have a bad night, then it's "they're stealing our rides! It's not fair (fare?)!"

Aren't busses, trains, limos and light-rail more competition for taxis than pedicabs?

Fortunately, here in Denver there doesn't seem to be a problem between the taxis and the pedicabs. They work together and stay out of each other's way. In fact, many times our drivers will take a passenger to a taxi line so they can find a cab quickly and be on their way.

The taxi drivers here really don't like the short rides. They'd rather stay in the queue and wait for a ride to the airport than take someone a couple of blocks and lose their place in line.

We get a lot of calls for taxis because our name comes up at the top of the list on the local 411 service (I'm not sure why). We pleasantly explain that we don't make long trips and give those callers the phone numbers for the taxi companies.

When pedicabs and taxis work together to provide complimentary services rather than viewing each other as competitors for the same dollars, they help create a better community for everyone.

So, is the glass half full or half empty?

Do you see your world as a place of abundance where there are plenty of rides for everyone? Or do you have a poverty mentality where there's never enough?

Never lose sight of your inner child

Experiencing the magic of a pedicab ride with a child can make anyone feel young. Just read the post below from NYC.

Phooey! Let that be my first blogged word of 2007: Phooey! Because my computer just froze up and I lost my post, the one I spent over an hour writing, a beautiful (if I do say so myself), lovingly detailed post about the week Mermaid Girl and I just spent in New York, with special attention lavished on our evening out on the town during which MG haggled with some pedicab drivers and got us a ride from Rockefeller Center to Times Square for $6, which was the best $6 I ever spent (actually I didn't spend it, she did), and the most harrowing, thrilling ride I've ever been on.

Afterwards I forgot how terrified I was that we'd be in a terrible car accident (what with the bumping over potholes and swerving in and out of lanes and through red lights etc.) and told MG that night around midnight when we were finally tucked in to bed that it was my favorite part of the day, and she was surprised because for most of the evening I'd maintained firmly that we were ABSOLUTELY NOT going on a bicycle cab ride, not when I'd just taken her out for tea at Alice's Tea Cup and for a carriage ride through Central Park and then down to Rockefeller Center to look at the tree and the skaters and then let her buy a whirly light-up thing and wave it around among the crowds.

But I'd forgotten all about that, that it was something she'd whined and nagged for and we only had that whirlwind ride through the middle of the city with the wind in our hair and cars and bright lights flashing all around us because I finally caved and said okay, okay, if she could find someone to take us for the money she had, we could do it.

All I remembered was the ride, and the way MG's eyes lit up as she took it all in, the lights reflected on her face.

Phooey! from Travels in Booland

Pedicabs help ring in the New Year

Happy New Year!

Pedicabs are out in Denver and ringing in 2007! After 2 challenging snow storms, our drivers were still out delivering people to parties and celebrations tonight. Families, couples and friends enjoyed 2 fireworks shows along the Sixteenth Street Mall at 9 pm and midnight. As in previous years, Mile High Pedicabs was there.

In addition to the New Year's Eve events, the city also hosted a Broncos football game (unfortunately the last one until next season), and a Nuggets basketball game. All the activity made for an interesting and challenging day downtown.

(Photo by Dan Byrd for the Downtown Denver Partnership)

MHP Holiday Party

Happy Holidays! Tonight was a fun evening for everyone attending the Mile High Pedicab Holiday Party. And an extra thanks to our hosts, Matt, Rob and Randy, owners of the Dugout in Denver.

Greg and I want to thank all the drivers who worked with us during 2006. We often comment to one another about what an awesome and diverse group of drivers we have. We both thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone, swapping stories, laughing, and getting to know you better. Honestly, I can't express to you how much you are appreciated.

Since so many of the drivers don't get a chance to get to know each other, we had everyone play a little driver trivia game. It was a lot of fun and sparked some lively conversation - which was our goal in the first place. For those of you who missed the party and are interested in the trivial factoids, you'll just have to ask someone who was there.

A special thanks to the partners, spouses, and significant others who joined us tonight (and those who didn't). Welcome to the crazy world of pedicabs! Your encouragement is vitally important.

We hope everyone had a good time. We sure did! We'll do this again in January!

Race for the Cure

Since its inception, Mile High Pedicabs has participated in Denver's Annual Komen Race for the Cure to raise money to help fight breast cancer. With 66,393 participants this year, Denver retained the title of the largest race for the cure in the country. Nearly $1 million was raised in Denver.

This has been the best nonprofit event we've done. Our ongoing partnership with The Race has been beneficial for everyone involved. Of course, the passengers enjoy the pedicabs because they allow them to participate in the event, even if they're not feeling so great. We get great feedback from the families because they know their loved ones are well taken care of.

We have more drivers participate in the event every year. They say it's such a worthwhile experience and really puts things in perspective. "It's nice to drive someone around who isn't drunk and obnoxious," one of our drivers commented. "You really appreciate being healthy enough to pedal," another said.

We'd encourage any pedicab operation to find a nonprofit organization that you can partner with, and to build on it every year. The benefits to everyone can be enormous, more than you can ever pay for.

For more photos from the 2006 Race for the Cure, go to http://www.milehighpedicabs.com/Race2006.htm.

From silence to "Wheeee!"

My 4-year-old grandson loves the pedicabs.

Whenever we talk about going downtown he wants to do two things: see the trains and ride in a pedicab. The first time we took him on a pedicab, Greg drove while he and I rode in the cab. He was unusually quiet with eyes as wide as saucers. The last time we took him with us, we got one of our drivers to ride the three of us around a bit. Rayden sat on Greg's lap waving at all the people and squealing "wheeee!" all the way down the street.

Now at the holidays, I'm reminded of the wide-eyed innocense of children. Pedicabs have become the norm for us, and we forget what a unique mode of transportation they are. It's good to look at them through the eyes of a child and see how really fun and cool riding in a pedicab can be.

Riding for the ages

The other day, I was thinking about how these pedicabs have affected the different generations in my family. Four generations still living -- my mom is in her eighties, Greg and I are (ah-hem!) 40-something, my son is in his twenties, and my grandson is a preschooler. I hope to explore some of these thoughts and observations in this blog. And I hope you'll add your ideas and comments too.

Always a marketer at heart, I'm facinated by how people of different ages relate to the pedicabs. It doesn't really matter how old or young they are, there's something about pedicabs that appeals to most everyone on some level. Some are tentative at first; others hop right on. Some think it's really hard work; others think anyone who can ride a bike can drive a pedicab.

Pedicabs are more than transportation, more than entertainment. They can be fun, exciting, romantic, sexy, haute, cool, modern, retro.

What a business!

The Pedicab of Choice

We subscribed to Google AdSense for this blog. I noticed that sometimes an ad for Cycles Maximus shows up. I just have to be honest and tell you that Maximus is not our pedicab of choice. Although every brand and model has its pros and cons, we would choose the Main Street Pedicab over all other brands everytime -- hands down. Here are Greg's comments that he posted on Rickshaw Forum in June...

"What is all this talk about overhauling and work on the Main Streets? Do any of you turn a wrench? I do and worked at a bike shop for years and the Main Streets are easy to work on and very very lowcost to maintain. (I maintain a fleet of 25 Main Streets)

"There have been some people making a comparison of new Cycles Maximus to 10 year old Main Streets. Give me a break! Let's compare 10 year old Max's to new Main Streets dollar for dollar over the lifetime of these cabs (Oh there are no 10 year olds fleets of Max's). Lets compare operating expenses and see how much for a new Main Street to a new Max. The key is preventive maintenance, just like your car. Why would I want to spend the money on "special parts" I have to order from England or New York when I can get what I need at a local bike shop or wholesaler. I will match operating costs with my 10 to 12 year old Main Streets to your new Max's any day. Show me one that has 40 or 50 thousand miles on it like my Main Streets. Why would anyone want to spend $6000 on one bike and then buy "special spare parts" and then have to stock odd size wheels and tubes? There is not one thing on a Main Street I can't fix myself or get that day. The cost to buy one Main Street and spare parts for 10 years would still be less than the purchase price of one Max. To spend $6000 on one bike is a bad bad biz decision.

"I'll give in to one thing about the Max's -- that they handle well. So what!! What does that do besides jerk your clients around? Little wheels mean your parts have to go around more for more wear. Do the math. There Is NO nightmare to maintaining a Main Street? You want real numbers call me."

Whew! We made it through the week!

What a crazy week in Denver pedicab world! This week, Denver hosted its largest conference and expo ever, the Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) -- 30,000 people; $56 million revenue into the city. Every hotel downtown was booked 100%. Greg pedalled 10 hours a day for 3 days for our client, Snap AV (with a broken big toe, I might add). They are a smaller player in the industry (compared to Sony, Bose, and JBL), so their demo room was set up in a hotel several blocks from the Convention Center. Their inovative marketing director thought they could hire a pedicab to move people back and forth between the two locations. (Great idea!) Here are their comments from an email following the event:

"I just wanted to send you a quick note to thank you for the stellar service that we received from your company during three days of our trade show in Denver. Having decided to have a demonstration room off-site from the convention center, we were uncertain as to how best to get customers to the room. Your Pedicab service solved the problem and also provided even more incentive to visit the room, considering the novelty of the Pedicab ride. Our customers arrived refreshed and happy. Furthermore, by having our Snap AV sign on the back of the Pedicab, we received a lot of exposure that we definitely would not have received otherwise. We were also impressed with the quality of your drivers. They were very clean-cut, accommodating and punctual. We’ll definitely be using your services again!" --Todd Akins, Snap AV

On top of the Expo, Greg had booked a wedding Saturday morning and a special event in Broomfield, one of the Denver suburbs. One of our other drivers rode for Snap AV while Greg headed off for the wedding. That was after we delivered 4 pedicabs and 2 drivers to Broomfield at 8:00 a.m. for a parade and outdoor event known as Broomfield Days. Greg took over downtown from 1:00-6:00. Things got more complicated when the wind picked up with gusts of 40-70 mph in the afternoon.

We followed up the conference with a Broncos football game on Sunday - a major event for pedicabs in Denver. Greg didn't pedal this one and leased his cab out to the driver who helped cover him with Snap AV on Saturday. Every pedicab was out with another 5 drivers on the waiting list. Greg and I went to breakfast, then headed downtown at 11:00 a.m. We got all the cabs out before kickoff at 2:15. We had pizza and sodas waiting for the drivers when they rode in around 6:30. Our day finally ended when we arrived home at 9:45 last night. What a long day!

We learned a lot through the week. The experience at the conference was great, and we have lots of ideas when they return to Denver next year as well as for other conferences coming up. We'll share our experiences with the folks in our next Pedicab Operators Weekend Intensive training class.

Although the Broomfield Days event was challenging, we got some great feedback that will help us continue to learn and grow. We probably overextended ourselves through the weekend, and we need to learn to say "no" a little more often. Picking and choosing which events to do is always difficult, but you can't do everything even though you might want to.

One thing we realized is what a great group of drivers we have now. After the game, it was fun to stand around eating pizza and chatting with the drivers, and watching them interact with each other. Most of them finished the day tired and sore, but with a smile on their faces and money in their pockets. It's a good feeling when you know you're offering people and opportunity they couldn't get from anyone else - a job that generally pays well and is fun and entertaining.