Another new rickshaw for Shrewsbury

[Rickshaw Phil]

A couple of years after I had to finish my rickshaw service, someone else has decided to give it a go in the town. Link.

I've been corresponding with Milo and have told him all the stuff I got wrong so I hope he does well with it.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

You know, Phil, when i see a rickshaw I feel sorry for the driver. it looks like really hard work!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

You know, Phil, when i see a rickshaw I feel sorry for the driver. it looks like really hard work!

Yes, it is very hard work (a Cycles Maximus weighs 85kg unladen) but surprisingly enjoyable. It's hard to explain but I used to get a real buzz out of the days when I was so busy I could hardly move by the time I'd finished.

The thing I used to hate hearing from potential customers was: "I don't want to exploit you", because it meant that they wouldn't take a ride and somehow by not doing so they felt they were doing me a favour. I'd rather be exploited and have the money to compensate me.

From what I see, Milo will do all right as I think his Maximus is an electric assist version so he'll be able to do the hills I couldn't.

Edit: I've just heard from him that it isn't electric assist. What I thought was the control box is contains the indicator/brake light controls.

 

[swee'pea99]

You did hills?!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

You did hills?!

Little ones! I drew the line at the hill on the right here. The one on the left I could manage with a couple of passengers (the Maximus seats up to 3 in the back).

Edit: I should mention that my usual trips were along the nice flat riverside in the Quarry (town park). I'm not as daft as I may appear.

 

[Chromatic]

I believe someone is trying to set up doing this in Cheltenham, there was a thing about it on local radio the other day. IIRC he's having difficulties with the authorities around Hackney Carriage rules and regulations or something like that.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I believe someone is trying to set up doing this in Cheltenham, there was a thing about it on local radio the other day. IIRC he's having difficulties with the authorities around Hackney Carriage rules and regulations or something like that.

I'm not surprised.

Because rickshaws are comparitively new to the UK there are no national rules or even guidelines to allow them to operate. For example, in London they run under archaic stagecoach laws which were repealed in the rest of the country but not the capital. In Hereford they offer the ride free of charge and rely on tips for income (risky strategy but minimal red tape). In Oxford they run as private hire vehicles (meaning all rides have to be pre-booked) and in Scotland the law allows them to operate on a street traders licence (I wish it was that easy in England).

I went for the easy option which was to run on the closed roads in The Quarry and to do special events which require no licence if booked at least 1 week in advance. In hindsight it wasn't the right option financially but it was fun while it lasted.