Thursday, August 28, 2008

Tricycle Taxi

These tricycle taxis are a fairly new phenomenon in New York City. I started seeing a few of them on the streets about two years ago but now, they are everywhere. These young fellas will "drive" you anywhere in Manhattan if you pay the right fare. I don't know how much it would cost since I've never ridden on one. And it is not an efficient way to travel around the city but for a tourist, it is definitely a fun way to explore the city.

So have you ever ridden on a tricycle?

Update: Went to my 7:20 AM appointment at the Apple Store on 5th Avenue this morning and my iPhone was replaced within 10 minutes of "diagnosis". I'm back in the 21st Century again.

22 comments:

stromsjo said...

I suppose they're not allowed everywhere in town?

Wayne said...

I've ridden in cycle rickshaws in India. In Agra I got out and helped the driver push it up a particularly arduous incline.
In NYC I'd rather walk.

valeria said...

I guess it's a typical mean of transport, isn't it? Funny to see that it now attracts young american guys. Here in Verona there is one guy with a horse and a lovely black opened carriage for tourists. I think it costs 30Euros for a ride, maybe one hour. It must be very romantic. I should open a Verona daily photo. But what happens if I do not post for some days? Is there a deadline?

alice said...

Ecological!

Unknown said...

We've got loads of them here in London and they aminly hang around outside theatres after the shows. They are a fun, if a little nervewracking, way to get around. The speeds that some of these guys get up to is astounding.

teahouse said...

Hooray for fixed iPod!

One of my coworkers, a lawyer, actually look a couple of years off from practicing law to drive one of those rickshaws. He said it was a total blast.

Virginia said...

Yep, those Mac Dude will fix you right up. As for trikes, yes I rode them when I was young, but not one of these. There was a discussion about taking bikes for tours in Paris on ERic's blog. I wouldn't risk it in Paris or NYC. Crazy drivers!

Lori said...

I've never taken a ride in one of these either. I think I'd be nervous riding in one around all the NYC traffic! Maybe in the park it would be okay.

Glad your phone is back in business!

NYD said...

Yes of course I have ridden in a tricycle. I have ridden in a Big Wheel too!

I would love to drive one of those, but not in New York.

Ken Mac said...

what do they charge?

Chuck Pefley said...

Well, not a real traditional trike since I was around age 5 :) However, I did ride a 3 wheeled MP3 Piaggio scooter a couple of months ago, if that counts. Two wheels in front with the normal one in back.

Knoxville Girl said...

Hmmm, I'm more concerned about being asphyxiated from auto exhaust if I rode in one of those tricycles in NYC.
I had a little red tryke as a kid - does that count?

marley said...

I think I rode a trike when I was little! They have these tricycles in London now and it strikes me as a bit scary, what with all the buses and other traffic!

Anonymous said...

Although I have not ridden in one, I thought they were called "pedi-cabs".
Always felt sorry for the guys with multiple passengers...

They can be seen on many streets, but mainly ply the Midtown avenues and seem to be hired mostly by tourists.

Kate said...

I was astonished when I realized that these conveyances were operating on the streets of NY. I've ridden them in Calcutta and small villages in India. For those drivers it was a way of earning a living and a means of survival.

Anonymous said...

I've ridden one of this when i was in Penang. But it was more elaborately decorated and has an umbrella to shade the cycler.

Rafe Totengco said...

I did it all the time when I was in Boracay.

NormanTheDoxie said...

For my 50th birthday, my brother hired one of those to take us from my building to the Union Square Cafe. It was a little scary dodging cars, cabs and buses.

Todd HellsKitchen said...

Those pedicaps are powered by testosterone!

Gecko said...

YAY for the iPhone! =P

The only tricycle I've been on was my little one I had when I was a kid. I rode it until I was so big I had to sit in the back seat to get to the pedals!

Shantaram said...

Most of the cycle-rikshaws (as they are called over here) have disappeared in Chennai. Remember feeling guilty about riding in those - and then having to haggle over what's a fair fare!

• Eliane • said...

I think they charge by the number of blocks. I've read it somewhere. And forgotten of course.

What was wrong with your phone?