New angle on pedicabs. This is in Madrid. These have electric motor assists and are aimed at somewhere between the distances Fishermen's Wharf pedicabs travel and the distances regular taxis travel. Of course, the taxi union is up in arms.

http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_11114.shtml

http://estaticos01.cache.el-mundo.net/elmundo/imagenes/2007/06/20/1182329005_0.jpg

I don't see any reason these couldn't be commuter vehicles though... might appeal to folks who are reluctant to try bikes or Vespas.

I wonder if I could buy the shell and put it on my taxi bike...? Start charging and I might get rich!

That style of cab has been around for years, and electric drive has been; not sure if they have been combined that often. To me, it pretty well defeats the purpose.

Last time I saw any pedicabs operating was down in Houston. One of the girls driving looked to be maybe 17 and about 100 lbs. Just about the worst person in the world to drag 400 lbs of strangers around. Hence the need for electric power.

http://www.ridevelocab.com/

velocab in sacramento.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aazsJRIMTro

just a short video of one of them in action.