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The conception and incorporation of a human-powered taxi (ECT Pedicab) in the downtown area is brilliant idea.
I chatted with Peter from ECT just briefly last night in the Short North. As I understand it, they were pretty busy last weekend from Comfest. I could have used one Sunday night after walking most of the day.
Have any of you used the pedicab? If so, Do you have any suggestions for finding them. Their web site didn’t list the area covered, but it did provide a contact phone number for them.
What are the rules regarding lane sharing for these guys? Half the time they seem to expect the usual rights and priveliges of a car (not hugging the right side, right-of-way, etc) and other times they disregard traffic laws entirely (squeezing between the right lane and the parallel-parking line, riding through intersections against red lights, u-turns). Cyclists will continue to be misunderstood and mistreated as long as some among us continue to take the “whatever’s convenient” approach to riding, which further confuses motorists and undoes any progress we’ve made toward educating drivers on their obligations to share the road.
I think they typically just ride up and down High St from Bodega to the Arena. They are always in front of La Fogota. That seems like there general waiting area. I love taking them.
I think they are a great idea and addition to the short north area, wouldn’t mind seeing them in Grandview and German village and other areas as well!
I must mention as well that I agree with Turbo Ninja that they need to follow the same laws as bikes and taxi’s. (However keeping the volume of traffic in the short north on gallery hop Safety 1st, Legal a close and even 2nd)
side note: I often see pedicabs with either non working lighting or insufficient lighting on the rear; I’m concerned that this is an accident waiting to happen! (Do I need to bring extra batteries other than the ones for my bike with me to the short north? to keep these guys/gals safe?)
Other than my couple comments, I think these pedicabs are GREAT!
I love pedicabs. As for breaking the rules, I see tons of cars doing that everyday, so am I justified to yell at them and run them off the road with my big-ass U-lock? Drivers break laws all the time and so do cyclists. Not saying that either is in the right.
So, what exactly do they charge? I didn’t see it on their website.
If you go to their website under media and go about half way down the sidebar you will see this line.
“Rides are free, with a pay-what-you-wish gratuity scale — typically $5 to $10 for trips of a mile or less.”
kessler Says: I think they are a great idea and addition to the short north area, wouldn’t mind seeing them in Grandview and German village and other areas as well!
C-c-c-a-n w-w-e-e-e t-t-t-a-k-k-e t-h-i-r-r-r-d-d-d s-t-t-r-e-e-e-e-t p-p-p-l-e-e-a-a-s-e-e-e ???
Thanks Kessler. Didn’t think to look in Media.
Columbusite said: “As for breaking the rules, I see tons of cars doing that everyday. . .”
You see cars casually rolling through red lights, squeezing between marked lanes, driving on sidewalks and going against the flow of traffic? I’m starting to think we really do need that tax boost to keep CPD officers on the streets.
You’re right that both drivers and cyclists break rules of the road all the time, but drivers aren’t constantly bitching about a lack of respect and/or safety and everyone seems to know when a driver does something against the law. Cyclists who are either too stupid or careless to follow the rules aren’t helping the rest of us who would really just like to be able to ride from one side of downtown to the other without risking life and limb.
lol at Walker very good point, not sure why I didn’t think of that!
3rd/high/whittier/ hmm… not really many options… Then I retract my original inclusion of German village. (due to brick streets)
lets stay on topic… I should have included cars and horses, mopeds, motor powered bar stools. etc. Everyone needs to follow the rules and play nice in traffic!
Back on topic of pedicabs!
They are a great enhancement to the short north area.
They charge by time rather than distance. Therefore, what I pay is in direct proprortion to the laziness of the driver – an issue that I have a problem with. Charge by distance and the best drivers would make the most money – and get the best workout!
I thought they ran by tips only? Did something change?
ETA
My understanding was that drivers paid to lease/rent the pedicab for a shift. It was then up to them to negotiate a rate with their passenger.
Earlier in the day I called the owner to clarify some of these blurry issues, and enlighten me on the virtues of pedicab services. I hope he responds on the CU site, because as I said, I think this is a brilliant idea that could be expanded a bit. Yeah Walker, Third Street/German Village is ripe for this form of green transportation. I bet the numerous hotel guests in this quadrant would enjoy this personal service into German Village, just another great memory to take back home with them.
From what I know, we have at least 2 and maybe 3 Pedicab companies in Columbus. ECT has white cabs, the other has red. Drivers lease the cab then solicit rides/tips to hopefully make back what they paid for the cab and then some. I also believe that drivers are pretty free to pick their areas. The ECT garage is located in the SN area, which may explain the concentration there.
I would love to hear more and would actually like to sign on and work some shifts one of these days.
life on wheels said: “would actually like to sign on and work some shifts one of these days”.
Peter said they made a ton of money this Comfest. Maybe you can get in on some of that action next year too!
Considering the hills I will be tackling this fall, I should be in shape. ;)
kessler Says: They are a great enhancement to the short north area.
Agreed. I think we’ll see them expand to other neighborhood as density increases. I’d consider taking home to the KLD sometime, although I think the driver might have a hard time finding a return fare back to the Short North area. Would be more fun than a cab, and probably the same price.
@mstimple – No matter how you slice it – it seems like hard work, which leads me to my question: wouldn’t the individual being hauled around in a cycle chariot actually be the lazy one? Honestly, I’d charge by the pound.
you get hit by a car while riding in one of these and legally your probably screwed, they are a litigation nightmare waiting to happen
Use at your own risk and inquire about their insurance in the case of an accident !! Hauling people for hire is a risky proposition no matter how its done.
Hey everybody! I’m Mike, and I own ECT Pedicab. Thank you everybody for your support of green transportation in Columbus! As of today, there are four pedicab company’s in Columbus, we are the white bikes and also the largest fleet in Columbus and Ohio!
Please allow me to address the concerns of each of you.
Our drivers are trained to follow traffic laws just like a bike or car should, including red lights, stop signs, and the like. Legally, it turns out, we are allowed to travel between parked cars and stopped traffic. Some liberties are taken, but not without total and complete awareness of our surroundings. Our goal is to get you to your destination fast and safe.
Our areas covered are mainly the Short North, Arena District, Campus, and Downtown. We’ve been seen as far north as Clintonville and as far south as GV…It’s really up to the driver…and the riders generosity;).
Our fare system has changed since last year…we currently charge by time. $1.50 a minute is industry standard nationwide, and the fare structure we’ve adopted. Most of our drivers have a great handle on time and distance and are able to flat rate, i.e. a ride from Surly Girl to Park St. is about a 7-8 minutes, which is about $10. We leave it open to negotiation to ensure satisfaction. Some of our less experienced drivers use the tip-based system, but that’s because easier to say “just gimmie whatever”. No matter how you cut it, we’re diligent at ensuring our customers feel they’ve gotten their money’s worth.
Most of our drivers have even been known to offer what we call “Karma rides” to people who look like they could use a hand.
As for the cabs without proper lights, this is a concern we share. ECT cabs are expertly maintained, including the lighting systems which our drivers use implicitly to maintain visibility: signaling of their turns, stops, and whatever they might need to convey to their intentions to others on the road.
Our Pick-up hotline is 614-206-7448, give us call anytime there’s a Clippers game, concert, special event or festival, and always Wednesday through Sunday nights from 7pm to late.
Thanks again for your support, we look forward to picking you up!
Be our Fan on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/ectpedicab and our Friend on MySpace – http://www.myspace.com/ectpedicab
-Mike