Utility Cycling - Rickshaws?

Anyone have any information on where I would go to purchase one? I was looking around the forums and I didn't see anything substantial other than places which hire. In our town there are a lot of big events which attract tourists, and I was thinking about getting some extra cash by moving intoxicated/lazy/disabled tourists from point A to point B in town since most people have to park a mile plus away from the event grounds. Would I need special licensing for it? How would I train besides purchasing a rickshaw and putting a bunch of bricks inside of it (no, seriously)? I think it would be a great way to make some money plus enjoy cycling on nice days.

First you must decide ifyou want a rikshaw like the one you see in India and similar places or the modern ones that they use in Copenhagen and other places. Do a bit of reading in the forum, and search (go to the top).

First you must decide ifyou want a rikshaw like the one you see in India and similar places or the modern ones that they use in Copenhagen and other places. Do a bit of reading in the forum, and search (go to the top).


I searched around for rickshaw and only came up with about 8 threads, hence the post :) I'm going to keep looking into it though, thanks!

Try searching for pedicab instead. A lot of different models came up when I googled that term. We have a vibrant pedicab community in Austin with dozens of them on the street in at night and on the weekends so it definitely can be done. We work for tips here.

Check out Austin Pedicab Alliance here for more info: http://austinpedicab.org/

Dunno whether this helps cuz it's here in the UK

http://www.cyclesmaximus.com/

There's LOADS of these around london. Don't think you'll need to do much training. Whenever i see them they all seem to be on very low gear and spinning like crazy. Of course you'll get fitter the more you use it

you'll need to get a buddy and at least two pedi-cabs...then the passengers can race...vicariously of course.

kidding aside last year when my wife and I went to New York a pedicab ride (with a race) at night in the rain to times square in search of chestnust was one of the most fun events of the trip...

google pedicab

http://www.nycpedicabassociation.org/

this site has links to 6 or 7 manufacturers

you'll need to get a buddy and at least two pedi-cabs...then the passengers can race...vicariously of course.


LOL. . . we had a massive pedicab race in Austin to start the New Year's Eve First Night parade this last year. Their were at least 3 pedicabs racing down our main street. Someone should probably start a world championchip race for this.

Good ones are expensive. You can find used ones on Ebay, but the good ones will be expensive, the cheap ones are of questionable quality, and they are all often sold "local pickup only". But do a google search for pedicab. I think one of the posts I had in the utility forum included a link that listed many manufacturers.

I think these are geared fairly low, so if your location is absolutely flat, a single-speed should work great. With any hills at all, you'd want multiple gears and good brakes.

A lot of larger cities do in fact regulate these, and may require licensing and/or insurance for them. Check very carefully locally before investing.

They make recumbents, trailer-types that you tow behind a bike, and modernistic designs. I would think it best to avoid all of these and go with one of the traditional designs, as you're selling image and fun, not transportation. I gather that a lot of potential of these involves the driver's interaction with the riders, and being a good entertainer/personality is more important than being a good pedaler.

The last time I saw a pedicab in action was in Houston. One of the girls running one looked to weight about 100 lbs, if that tells you anything.

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/bik/842362182.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/bik/836848843.html
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/bik/842344787.html

There used to be a fellow here in Lincoln NE called "Rickshaw Johnny" who had a home-made rickshaw that he'd pedal people around during football games (UNL Huskers and all that). Apparently he could make a *killing* during game day! He was also a street-corner busker, and we became friends. He told me a lot about the general busking lifestyle...

The rickshaw itself was a back-rear seat from a '70s Volksie bus with a couple of tires attached to the seat-bottom and hitch assembly via 2 axles and some ingenuity. The particular seat had armrests on both sides, but no seat belts, so pre-whenever-that-year-was-mandated. Since technically he was busking, he could only take donations, so that's something to consider. If you have a set rate, you probably need to have some sort of hack liscense and that means proper safety papers and insurance.

Now, as far as liscensing, you need to check with your local municipal code. There are often regulations regarding the number of passengers in a particular vehicle, and sometimes the regulations are dependant on the relationships of those passengers and the driver (no kidding). There are also regulations on how many passengers can be conveyed in a particular vehicle. If you charge some form of rate, you'll no doubt need some sort of limosouine or cab (hack) liscense, unless you decide to rely on donations alone which is usually more lenient, however, regardless of liscensing, you can still be liable if a passenger *or* some other person/property is injured/damaged. Good luck finding insurance ;)

I'd like to see what you come up with!

Try here:

http://www.pedicab.com/
http://www.organicengines.com/
http://www.cyclesmaximus.com/
http://www.bikesatwork.com/custom-projects/

ETA: It might be possible to build a pedicab/rickshaw off of the TriHauler: http://www.catoregon.org/hpm

I like the styling of this model from Germany:

http://www.velotaxi.com/

Funny thing about rickshaws/pedicabs in Lincoln: there are a bunch of handbill flyers in my building for a company called "Urban Excursions," which is supposed to be a pedicab taxi service. I just grabbed a flyer--729 Q St/Lincoln, NE, 402-450-RIDE(7433). The flyer says that "We have up to four pedicabs operating in the downtown and Haymarket areas. Wave over an empty pedicab and ride the adventure." I've never seen any of these around, though, and there isn't any dates on the flyers.

It lists a website as www.urbanexcursions.com (http://www.urbanexcursions.com) but now that comes up with someone's blog, though it's a local blog. I wonder if this company has gone out of business or something? If so, they might have a pedicab or two for sale...it sounds like this was a busking-style operation of some kind according to another mention on the flyer: "Urban Excursions does not charge any fees for a ride. Our drivers earn their money by providing good service to our customers. We hope you will reward them with your tips."

Check out this:

http://www.lightfootcycles.com/pedicab.php

http://www.lightfootcycles.com/images/pedicab2002.jpg

http://www.lightfootcycles.com/images/peditruck2.jpg