By David Brenda

Popular at such tourist haunts as Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, the bicycle rickshaw has arrived at the Sundial Bridge in Redding.

Bob Frost, a 57-year-old retired U.S. Forest Service worker, opened Sundial Pedicabs last month.

Starting with one cab and operating intermittently when weather permits, Frost will take visitors around the Sundial Bridge, along the Sacramento River Trail and even through the McConnell Arboretum at Turtle Bay Exploration Park.

Frost signed a one-year contract with Turtle Bay. The deal mandates that he carry insurance and pay Turtle Bay 10 percent of his profits each month.

“I am enjoying doing it. I spent my whole adult life out in the woods, so I love the outdoors and enjoy the weather,” said Frost, who worked in timber sales and also did firefighting for the Forest Service.

The rickshaw service charges $20 an hour, $10 for 30 minutes and $5 for 15 minutes. All rates are double occupancy.

Frost can go as far west as the Keswick Dam powerhouse and will be able to go east to the Mt. Shasta Mall once the bike path is completed in conjunction with the Dana Drive-to-downtown Redding retrofit.

Rosalinda Avitia came to the bridge Monday afternoon with her daughter and granddaughter. The Shasta Lake resident bought a 15-minute trip with Frost.

“For a relaxing day, it’s great to let somebody else take you around,” Avitia said. “I think it can be very romantic.”

With sunny skies and temperatures hitting the high 60s, Monday proved a good day for Frost to take his rickshaw out, though he didn’t have many customers.
But he is not discouraged and is confident business will pick up once the weather warms.

“I am kind of looking at people who are mobility challenged; they have a hard time getting around and want to get out and see things. I’m hoping to be attractive to their needs,” Frost said.

Frost envisions taking passengers on moonlight rides on summer nights. He expects to operate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. during the summer.

The yellow-and-black rickshaw Frost uses was made by Main Street Pedicabs in Broomfield, Colo. Frost paid about $3,900 for the custom-made cab.

Over the next several years, Frost said he expects to see his fleet of cabs growing to four or five. He also would someday like to provide a shuttle service from Hilltop Drive down to the River Trail.

“The long range would be for me to get off the bike and manage the business,” Frost said.

Turtle Bay spokesman Toby Osborn was off Monday and unavailable for comment.

For more information about Sundial Pedicabs, call 351-1755.

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