Pedal Power Thrives in Germany (Human-Powered Taxis)

[chlamor]

Pedal power thrives in Germany

Ad-friendly and environmentally sensitive, human-powered taxis are flourishing across German cities.

By Isabelle de Pommereau | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
FRANKFURT, GERMANY – Like many of Germany's 5 million unemployed, Jens Indorf trudged out each morning in a futile search for a job. His year-long quest ended when he took a job as a Velotaxi driver. Now he gets up each morning with a spring in his step - a product of days spent pedaling his tricycle taxicab along the banks of the Main River, under the blossoming cherry trees, and past the tall glass towers that are the trademark of continental Europe's banking capital.

Mr. Indorf is part of a new fleet of taxi drivers that have flourished on the gridlocked streets of Germany's big cities. Pedal-powered, mouse-shaped Velotaxis, or "cult-flitzers," as they are called here, ride streets, bike paths, and pedestrian zones to transport tourists and city dwellers. They've transformed Indorf's life. And they could transform the way cities fight car pollution.

"I love to sweat," says the former car mechanic, hauling his 308-pound steel tricycle through nooks and crannies unreachable to buses and taxis. One of 60 seasonal Velotaxi drivers in Frankfurt, Indorf pays 6 euros ($7.72) a day for the vehicle, insurance coverage, and repair service. The rest he keeps. He earns between $50 and $130 a day.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0503/p07s01-woeu.html

[Ian David]

1. It takes 10 calories fossil fuel to deliver 1 calorie of food to the plate

At least, that's in America.

On the other hand, a human-powered taxi doesn't have to push a 2,000 pound vehicle around all day.

[KamaAina]

2. Don't they get 'Seinfeld' in Germany?

Kramer and Newman covered this territory pretty thoroughly.

The cab is the brainchild of Ludger Matuszewski, a former Daimler-Chrysler project manager from Berlin. Bored with his office job, he dreamed of fulfilling a social mission. His idea? Bring to Berlin an environmentally friendly alternative to expensive taxis and cars. He came up with the concept of a modern rickshaw. To finance the project, he sought advertising.

Then again, the original Kramer/Newman neo-rickshaw plan involved the use of homeless people as drivers. As a civilized, modern country, Germany has a limited supply of homeless people, and so Matuszewski was forced to rethink the whole plan. Ultimately, it would seem, this worked out to his benefit.

:-)

[Doohickie]

3. Brilliant!

I love it.

[Massacure]

4. 308 pounds? Holy cow, thats heavy.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

5. the "leaping man" I saw once and wish I could see again

On our local news a couple of years ago had a vignette about some guy who created this rickshaw where he leaped in the air and then he was suspended in the air for yards and yards in this yoke sort of thing while his rickshaw forged ahead until he hit the ground and bounded again. It looked like running on the moon. I loved it!! I wanted one. It was way cooler than a Segway. By they way, what ever happened to that? I thought that was supposed to revolutionize metropolitan movement.

[BiggJawn]

6. The Segway?

I could imagine the $4500 price tag and the fact that you can't drive 'em in the street OR on the sidewalk in most cities might have something to do with them not catching on.

[BiggJawn]

7. Cute. Cool, too.

Wonder if it'd work over here? Cab licenses are a precious commodity, though. You almost need an OK from the local Don to get one made available...

[unkachuck]

8. I think it's great....

....308 pounds is heavy....I wonder what modern composite materials could do to lower the weight?....

....I'm a geezer, but I still get out on my old bike regularly....it's the only exercise I can do in which I'm not aware I'm actually exercising, I enjoy it....Deutschland Uber Alles!

[Karenina]

9. No cab? Grab a bike!

The Deutsche Bahn has bicycles ALL OVER TOWN. Put in your EC card, unlock it and GO. Lock it up when you arrive at your destination. They're sturdy, well maintained, and convenient.