Entrepreneur powers his one-man horseless carriage during the wee hours Downtown

Wes Weisheit vigorously pedaled his bike along North Fourth Avenue, pulling a reporter in the “cab” behind. The gentle bumps during the ride seemed to echo the pulsating beats from the Bose stereo attached to his bike.

This open-air taxi burns no gasoline and provides a leisurely ride to your destination.

Otherwise known as pedicabs, rickshaws or bike taxis, you’ve probably seen them cruising the streets during University of Arizona football games or late night on Fourth Avenue.

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Q: How do I start a Pedicab business?

A: Many people contact us to inquire about starting a Pedicab business. Go to our Operators page for some tips on how to get started, or contact us for more in-depth information.

Q: How do I order parts?

A: Go to www.wheelgoods.com. If what you need is not listed or you need the shipment expedited or if you have any questions, call us at 303-295-3822.

Q: How long is production time?

A: Main Street Pedicabs are custom made to your specifications. Lead times are often 1-3 weeks, though they can be longer during the spring and summer season.

Q: Are Main Street Pedicabs shipped assembled?

A: Yes, our Pedicabs are shipped fully assembled and ready to roll.

Q: Can I request customizations?

A: Yes, because you’re dealing directly with the manufacturer, customers can order a variety of custom colors and designs. We’ll also build your Pedicab with different components if you prefer something you’re more comfortable with rather than our standard components.

Q: Should I hire a Pedicab Consultant?

A: People often ask us if they should spend the money to hire a Pedicab consultant. One of the great things about starting and operating a Pedicab business is how easy it is to do. We at Main Street have a wealth of resources and have walked dozens of people through the process of getting a Pedicab business off the ground. With these things in mind, we feel it’s an unnecessary expenditure to hire a Pedicab consultant.

Q: What sort of maintenance is required on a Main Street Pedicab?

A: Maintenance for a Main Street Pedicab shouldn’t be an overwhelming, time-consuming task, but should be practiced regularly for a well running Pedicab. By following a systematic maintenance schedule, the Pedicabs will not only run better, but will also be more enjoyable for both the driver and the passengers. For more on how to properly maintain a Main Street, check out our New Pedicab Rider Instructions and our Main Street Pedicab Manual.

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By Andrea Sachs
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, June 29, 2008; P06

Among the experiences that make one go “Eek!,” tooling around Manhattan in a rickshaw ranks high, falling somewhere between a cab ride during rush hour and walking through Times Square after the theaters let out. Some of the bike-drawn buggies come equipped with seat belts; others don’t. You decide your threshold of thrill.

“There’s a real rush going through traffic,” said Jacob Press, a tour guide with the Manhattan Rickshaw Co., the longest continuously operating pedicab outfit in New York City. “We can always find a way through.”

I have explored the City That Never Stops by foot, bus and bike. But on a recent trip, I wanted to sightsee in a vehicle that was intimate with the urban landscape but didn’t require any energy expenditure. So I called Manhattan Rickshaw a few days before my visit and booked Press and his quads.

Rickshaws are pervasive in Asia, where the economical bicycles with big back seats jostle for space among mopeds, cars, beasts of burden and swarms of pedestrians. In the United States, they’re more of a novelty than a necessity but are a rousing ride nonetheless. Though passengers are not as vulnerable as the biker, they’re still thrust into the chaotic street scene.

“It’s a combination of entertainment and transportation,” said Manhattan Rickshaw owner Peter Meitzler, who was instrumental in bringing pedicabs to New York. “It’s fun and environmental and fills a niche.”

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Tags: andrea sachs, bicycle, bicycles, billboard, Manhattan, manhattan rickshaw, NEW YORK, New York City, Newspaper, operator, Operators, passenger, pedestrians, Pedicab, Pedicab News, pedicabs, rickshaws, romantic streak, route, rush hour, scene, seat belts, street scene, taxis, times square, traffic, Transport, urban landscape

The Cayman Islands now have their own new rickshaw cab business, called Wheels PediCab Service.

“Environmentally friendly, well-equipped state-of-the-art rickshaw bicycles are a new way of getting around Seven Mile Beach and George Town,” said owner and operator Brian Barnes.

“I have no set route, and go wherever the passenger wants to go. They are well-equipped with signals, break lights, headlights, even seatbelts.”

Mr Barnes thought of the idea two years ago, and made his first application in September 2005 to import the rickshaw bicycles.

“The first two are here, and there are more on the way,” he said.

They can also be used for special events, such as weddings, private parties, parades, etc and they are also available for advertising and branding,” he added.

Mr Barnes also said businesses can advertise on the cabs, by ‘branding’ them with companies’ or products’ logos.

“It’s something new to Cayman and people use them right now in big cities such as Denver, New York, Florida, Las Vegas and Victoria in British Columbia, which is where I first fell in love with them and rode them to earn spare money, when I was going to school there,” said Mr Barnes.

People will be able to locate the cabs in and around the Seven Mile Beach and George Town locations.

For contact information people can phone 947-2222 or visit the company’s website at www.CaymanPediCab.com or email christopher@caymannetnews.com.

Content provided courtesy caymannetnews.com.

View this article.

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