PEDICAB SANTA MONICA!
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A San Diego
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Santa Monica used to have Pedicabs. But it appears that they are gone for now. Is the City of Santa Monica non-supportive of this environmentally friendly form of transportation for the city's tourists and residents? (See article below on how it feels to ride or drive a "Pedicab")
A San Diego Thrill
by Barbara Beckley
San Diego Bay has a new thrill ride.
Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration. But it sure thrilled me when I experienced it.
Dashing along the bay, wheeling around corners, rolling along narrow paths under shady
trees, I felt as if I were on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. The feeling was enhanced by the fact that
I was ensconced in the cozy red cushions of an open carriage similar to that of Mr. Toad’s Model T.
Who knew that a pedicab ride could be so much fun?
The pedicah phenomena began about 10 years ago, explained "Midas," manager of the San
Diego Pedi Cab company. With the restaurants, nightlife and shops of the Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport
Village and the Embarcadero sometimes a bit too far apart to walk, yet too close to drive, these
compact, human-powered vehicles quickly became a logical and popular alternative.
Today, more than 170 pedicabs from six pedicah companies roll through the downtown area.
Last year, the concept sailed across the bay. The Coronado Pedicab Co. now pedals happy passengers
throughout Coronado Island.
I discovered that the pedicabs are more than mere transportation. Whether you hop aboard to
go from nightspot to nightspot or to take a one-hour tour, the jovial drivers make every excursion
an adventure.
My first driver was a 30-something single mother of two, who gave up a career as a
customer service rep for the fresh air, exercise and fun of being a pedicah driver. With a ready
smile and a rakish red scarf tied at her neck, she was a charmer among the mostly male pedicab
corps.
My second driver was a handsome, 40-ish former Marine.
Like a child with a new hike, he rang the bike bell and waved to pedestrians as he whisked
me along the Embarcadero to Seaport Village. Everyone smiled and waved back. I was smiling, too.
1 felt special, sitting in the open carriage with the wind in my hair, racing past the water's
edge, weaving in and out of walkways and circling around flower beds.
"Ready?" he asked, grinning at me over his shoulder as he pedaled straight for
five, wide steps that descended to a lawn along the bay. "Ah...yes," I replied, bracing myself
against the seat cushion. As we reached the top step, he made a quick, sharp turn and we continued
along the level pathway. "You didn't really think I was going to go down those stairs?" he laughed,
his eyes twinkling.
I didn't admit it, but yes, I did think we were going to do it. While we were moving fast, he
had such good control of the pedicab that I had no doubt we could have safely negotiated those
shallow stairs.
"It takes a special person to he a pedicab jockey," Miles Pelky, the owner of Coronado
Pedicab Co., told me. in addition to a sparkling personality and knowledge of San Diego's points
of interest, pedicab drivers need brute muscle power. "Imagine yourself pedaling uphill in a bicycle.
Now, imagine that your bicycle is a carriage and two, 200 pound passengers.
"Driver wanna-bes undergo rigorous try-outs before they're hired," he said. They have
to prove that they're strong enough to pull all that weight, he skilled at maneuvering the carriages
and must qualify for special driving permits.
For visitors like me, the pedicabs and drivers are one way to experience an exciting new
perspective on San Diego.
San Diego Pedi-Cab charges $1 a minute for transportation and tours. Call 619-885-5002. Coronado
Pedicab company one-way fares start at $5 and tours range from $30 to $55. Call 619-572-4651 or
visit www.coronadopedicab.com. For information on San
Diego call 619-236-1212 or visit www.sandiego.org.
Local Bicycle advocacy links:
Critical Mass Links:
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San Francisco Critical Mass List (powered by Topica)
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Critical Mass !0th year anniversary Pictures (by Indy Media)
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Documentary about Critical Mass "We Aren't Blocking Traffic, We Are Traffic!"
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Critical Mass Media (Stickers, Iron On T-shirts, etc)
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World Car-Free Days (info and Downloadable Stickers/Posters/etc)