Comments on: Bicycle Taxi Service in the Short North http://www.columbusunderground.com/bicycle-taxi-service-in-the-short-north News, opinions and reviews on all things Columbus, Ohio. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:01:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Emar Tino http://www.columbusunderground.com/bicycle-taxi-service-in-the-short-north/comment-page-2#comment-87617 Emar Tino Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:21:57 +0000 http://www.columbusunderground.com/?p=7997#comment-87617 I rationalize "line jumping" this way:  cars pass cyclists all the time, as cyclists are often travelling at a slower rate than the car on a straight, clear stretch of road.  This isn't a complaint or accusation: I have no objection when they do this so long as it is done safely.  So when cars are slower or are stopped, a bicycle, it would seem, should have the same right to pass the car as the car had to pass the bicycle.  And when traffic re-starts and the car overtakes the cyclist, I have no objection to it passing the cyclist again... and vise-versa.  It's not a matter of "I'm in line and nobody can cut in front of me" as it is a matter of reasonable accomodation of the strengths and weaknesses of each mode of transportation.  I'd be very sad indeed to see bicyclists waiting in lines of car traffic on a gallery hop night when instead they could navigate between the cars as they do now.  I rationalize “line jumping” this way:  cars pass cyclists all the time, as cyclists are often travelling at a slower rate than the car on a straight, clear stretch of road.  This isn’t a complaint or accusation: I have no objection when they do this so long as it is done safely.  So when cars are slower or are stopped, a bicycle, it would seem, should have the same right to pass the car as the car had to pass the bicycle.  And when traffic re-starts and the car overtakes the cyclist, I have no objection to it passing the cyclist again… and vise-versa.  It’s not a matter of “I’m in line and nobody can cut in front of me” as it is a matter of reasonable accomodation of the strengths and weaknesses of each mode of transportation.  I’d be very sad indeed to see bicyclists waiting in lines of car traffic on a gallery hop night when instead they could navigate between the cars as they do now. 

]]> By: Walker http://www.columbusunderground.com/bicycle-taxi-service-in-the-short-north/comment-page-2#comment-87516 Walker Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:20:13 +0000 http://www.columbusunderground.com/?p=7997#comment-87516 <em><cite><a href="forums/profile/turbo-ninja">turbo ninja</a></cite> Says: I’d be very interested to have some legal knowledge to support the practice of “line jumping” at red lights, stop signs, etc.</em> I'm not sure what the general law might be at every intersection, but recall reading that at the newish <a href="bike-boxes-aim-to-keep-cyclists-safe">"Bike Boxes" added on Milton Avenue</a> as a part of that Bike Boulevard project are specifically set up to allow "line jumping". I'd like to assume that the specific traffic law doesn't just apply at that one specific intersection and that safe line jumping is probably allowed at red-light intersections where cars are stopped... but yeah... that's just a personal assumption on my part. <div id="edit-comment87465" class="edit-comment"></div> turbo ninja Says: I’d be very interested to have some legal knowledge to support the practice of “line jumping” at red lights, stop signs, etc.

I’m not sure what the general law might be at every intersection, but recall reading that at the newish “Bike Boxes” added on Milton Avenue as a part of that Bike Boulevard project are specifically set up to allow “line jumping”. I’d like to assume that the specific traffic law doesn’t just apply at that one specific intersection and that safe line jumping is probably allowed at red-light intersections where cars are stopped… but yeah… that’s just a personal assumption on my part.

]]> By: turnedNOTburned http://www.columbusunderground.com/bicycle-taxi-service-in-the-short-north/comment-page-2#comment-87505 turnedNOTburned Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:32:48 +0000 http://www.columbusunderground.com/?p=7997#comment-87505 Man, this would have to be an AWESOME job.  Exercise, interesting people, buckage, fun atmostphere, limited financial risk.   Would seem to far outweight the downside of crazy auto-drivers, intoxicated people (better than them driving tho), and working during social hours.  Gotta love transportation w/o emissions (sans Bean Eating Pedi-cab jockeys and their poor unsuspecting passengers) Man, this would have to be an AWESOME job.  Exercise, interesting people, buckage, fun atmostphere, limited financial risk.   Would seem to far outweight the downside of crazy auto-drivers, intoxicated people (better than them driving tho), and working during social hours. 

Gotta love transportation w/o emissions (sans Bean Eating Pedi-cab jockeys and their poor unsuspecting passengers)

]]> By: turbo ninja http://www.columbusunderground.com/bicycle-taxi-service-in-the-short-north/comment-page-2#comment-87465 turbo ninja Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:54:57 +0000 http://www.columbusunderground.com/?p=7997#comment-87465 Mike, Thanks for checking in.  I've always thought it was illegal for a cyclist (on a "vehicle," in the eyes of the law) to split lanes or to travel between parked cars and stopped traffic.  Can you please cite whatever legal source you used to determine otherwise?  I'm a big believer in cyclists and motorists getting along just fine so long as each follows the letter of the law, and I'd be very interested to have some legal knowledge to support the practice of "line jumping" at red lights, stop signs, etc. Mike,
Thanks for checking in.  I’ve always thought it was illegal for a cyclist (on a “vehicle,” in the eyes of the law) to split lanes or to travel between parked cars and stopped traffic.  Can you please cite whatever legal source you used to determine otherwise?  I’m a big believer in cyclists and motorists getting along just fine so long as each follows the letter of the law, and I’d be very interested to have some legal knowledge to support the practice of “line jumping” at red lights, stop signs, etc.

]]> By: patient_zero http://www.columbusunderground.com/bicycle-taxi-service-in-the-short-north/comment-page-2#comment-87448 patient_zero Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:27:57 +0000 http://www.columbusunderground.com/?p=7997#comment-87448 Thanks Mike! Walker and I will be looking for you in GV in the near future, I hope. Best wishes to you and your team. Thanks Mike! Walker and I will be looking for you in GV in the near future, I hope.

Best wishes to you and your team.

]]> By: mikesorboro http://www.columbusunderground.com/bicycle-taxi-service-in-the-short-north/comment-page-1#comment-87447 mikesorboro Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:14:13 +0000 http://www.columbusunderground.com/?p=7997#comment-87447 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 - www.facebook.com/ectpedicab and our Friend on MySpace - www.myspace.com/ectpedicab -Mike 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

]]> By: pedex http://www.columbusunderground.com/bicycle-taxi-service-in-the-short-north/comment-page-1#comment-87437 pedex Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:28:11 +0000 http://www.columbusunderground.com/?p=7997#comment-87437 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. 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.

]]> By: JonMyers http://www.columbusunderground.com/bicycle-taxi-service-in-the-short-north/comment-page-1#comment-87425 JonMyers Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:53:19 +0000 http://www.columbusunderground.com/?p=7997#comment-87425 @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. @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.

]]> By: Walker http://www.columbusunderground.com/bicycle-taxi-service-in-the-short-north/comment-page-1#comment-87421 Walker Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:19:35 +0000 http://www.columbusunderground.com/?p=7997#comment-87421 <em><cite><a href="forums/profile/kessler">kessler</a></cite> Says: They are a great enhancement to the short north area.</em> 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. <div id="edit-comment87394" class="edit-comment"></div> 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.

]]> By: lifeontwowheels http://www.columbusunderground.com/bicycle-taxi-service-in-the-short-north/comment-page-1#comment-87419 lifeontwowheels Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:28:50 +0000 http://www.columbusunderground.com/?p=7997#comment-87419 Considering the hills I will be tackling this fall, I should be in shape. ;) Considering the hills I will be tackling this fall, I should be in shape. ;)

]]> By: patient_zero http://www.columbusunderground.com/bicycle-taxi-service-in-the-short-north/comment-page-1#comment-87418 patient_zero Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:23:25 +0000 http://www.columbusunderground.com/?p=7997#comment-87418 <strong>life on wheels</strong> 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! 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!

]]> By: lifeontwowheels http://www.columbusunderground.com/bicycle-taxi-service-in-the-short-north/comment-page-1#comment-87417 lifeontwowheels Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:10:26 +0000 http://www.columbusunderground.com/?p=7997#comment-87417 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.  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. 

]]> By: patient_zero http://www.columbusunderground.com/bicycle-taxi-service-in-the-short-north/comment-page-1#comment-87416 patient_zero Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:47:08 +0000 http://www.columbusunderground.com/?p=7997#comment-87416 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. 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.

]]> By: lifeontwowheels http://www.columbusunderground.com/bicycle-taxi-service-in-the-short-north/comment-page-1#comment-87415 lifeontwowheels Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:54:30 +0000 http://www.columbusunderground.com/?p=7997#comment-87415 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. 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.

]]> By: mstimple http://www.columbusunderground.com/bicycle-taxi-service-in-the-short-north/comment-page-1#comment-87413 mstimple Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:21:20 +0000 http://www.columbusunderground.com/?p=7997#comment-87413 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! 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!

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