News Correspondent
Boston is known as a walkable city, but sometimes, one would prefer comfort or speed. Before 2005, Bostonians without their own car had the option of either taking a cab, using public transportation or riding their own bicycle.
In March of 2005, Ben Morris, a former Northeastern student, found a way to mix the three when he created a new option for the people of Boston: Boston Pedicab, a fleet of bicycles with seating areas attached to the back.
Morris’ company aims to provide customers with an alternative to cabs and public transportation that is prompt, affordable, and environmentally friendly, according to the company’s website.
Travel in regular cabs can be expensive, especially depending on traffic and the route taken by the driver, but Pedicab does not charge for rides, Melissa Cartoun, events manager for Boston Pedicab, said in an e-mail.
“Drivers work for tips only,” she said. “Customers may pay as they please.”
The drivers make the most money on Friday and Saturday nights, one driver said.
“On weeknights when there is not much going on in Boston, we’re not usually that busy,” said pedicab driver Kyle Crand.
The company only sets hourly rates for events it has been booked for, such as weddings.
“Our green mode of transportation is part of what is helping put Boston on the map as one of the greenest cities in America,” Cartoun said.
In addition to promoting the green movement, Boston Pedicab is also helping to raise support for Multiple Sclerosis research through Cape Cod Getaway, the biggest bicycle event for MS in New England. The event, which is held each June, is a bike ride on the south shore and Cape Cod to raise money for MS research.
“We bring pedicabs, and the drivers relay driving them for the 150 miles of the ride,” Cartoun said.
Some Northeastern students said they enjoy riding in Pedicabs.
“While it may not have been as fast as a regular cab, I found my experience with Pedicab to be much more enjoyable,” said Joe Zych, a sophomore international affairs and computer science major. It was a relaxing ride that allowed me to enjoy the good weather and feel more immersed in the city around me.”
For those looking to become Pedicab drivers, there is no set of prerequisites for becoming a pedicab driver. Rather than bicycling ability and knowledge of the city of Boston, customer service skills are the key attribute for the job.
“It’s great if you know the city, but most can learn on [the] job,” said Cartoun at her office. As a good amount of pedicab drivers are also college students from out of town, the job helps speed up their assimilation to Boston.
“One benefit of taking a pedicab is that if you are not familiar with the city of Boston, you really get to experience the area and see what the city has to offer,” said David Rosenthal, a freshman international business major from San Diego.