In many parts of the world cities are filled rickshaws of multiple varieties taking passengers from one place to another. Traditionally rickshaws were pulled by young lads trying to earn a buck. But with the advent of the motor scooter, many rickshaws became motorized, with small noisy polluting two-stroke engines providing the motive force. Quieter, cleaner pedal powered units can also be found, usually hacked up from the front half of a bicycle. The Italians of course do everything that the rest of world does, they just do it with an extra dose of style. These new pedal powered EcoTaxis were recently spotted in Rome, where the basic rickshaw concept has been given a sleek new look.
[Source: TreeHugger]
1. Interesting, in Tallinn, Estonia we have had exactly those rickshaws hurling tourists around at least the last summer, if not the one before that as well (2005). The business model seems to work with these little cute bikes being used as moving advertising - coloured in some branding as is often the case with Smarts. Interestingly most of the clients seem to be quite overweight tourists, that might do well with walking a bit. But better this than using a taxi :)
Posted at 3:10AM on Mar 25th 2007 by espac