Rickshaws outside Asia

Rickshaws are used in numerous cities in Europe and North America, primarily for their novelty value as an entertaining form of transportation for tourists and locals. However, they also have environmental benefits and may be quicker than other forms of transport if traffic congestion is high. Various laws regulate their use in different areas.

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A global concept

Cycle rickshaws are used in most large European cities, such as London, Barcelona, Budapest, Berlin, Edinburgh, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Milan, Rome and Dublin. London boasts one of the largest numbers of pedicabs, that are mostly based in Soho, Covent Garden near tourist attractions and nightlife. In North America, San Diego and New York City each host hundreds of pedicabs; dozens of other North American cities also have pedicab services. Kabuki Kabs, Victoria. The first known commercial use of pedicabs in North America occurred in 1962 at the Seattle Worlds Fair. There are several American and European manufacturers of cycle rickshaws, which often incorporate features not found in developing world vehicles, such as hydraulic disc brakes, lightweight fibreglass bodies, and multispeed gears.

In American cities such as New York, human powered transport is available as an environmentally friendly means of transit. Local residents in New York City, however, view pedicabs primarily as tourist vehicles due to their high fares and their drivers' aggressive sales pitches to pedestrians. At a rate of $5 plus $1 per block per person, a 20-block (one mile) pedicab ride for two people will cost $50.[1][2] In a taxicab, the same ride would cost under $10.[3] According to Peter Meitzler of New York's Manhattan Rickshaw Company, a passenger has an entirely different urban experience when one rides in a rickshaw. He says that he uses the word "rickshaw" in his company name because it is internationally known.[4]

Rickshaws or Pedicabs as they are also known, have been operating on the streets of London for over 7 years in and around the West End, Soho, Covent Garden and Leicester Square areas. They are also common in the centre of Edinburgh, mostly as a novelty tourist transportation method.

Cities in North America where pedicabs are in operation

Cities in North America where pedicabs are regulated

Cities in North America where pedicabs are prohibited

References

  1. ^ "Ten Things Not to Do in New York City"
  2. ^ "Pedicab driving no easy ride"
  3. ^ "Taxicab Rate of Fare," NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission
  4. ^ "Rickshaws Reinvented - The ancient transportation takes a modern turn", Dina Modianot-Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, March 2007
  5. ^ City of Orlando, Florida Police Department - Accreditation
  6. ^ Pedicab Program | Engineering and Capital Projects
  7. ^ Oklahoma City Carriage Code
  8. ^ Amy Ridenour's National Center Blog: Bicycle Carriages Outlawed After Taxi Drivers Find Them Threatening to Business