Stephens Pedicab Fundraising Campaign
The Stephens Prototype Pedicab offers Clevedonians the experience of riding a zero emissions rickshaw up and down Clevedon BEFORE it’s ever proposed as a park-n-ride concept.
The Stephens Prototype Pedicab offers Clevedonians the experience of riding a zero emissions rickshaw up and down Clevedon BEFORE it’s ever proposed as a park-n-ride concept.
That way all discussion starts AFTER you’ve ascended Marine Parade from the Pier to the hairpin turn on Hill Road, and then circled the Stephens Monument at SixWays roundabout.
It’s show-business, not tell-business. This cuts down assumptions, and skips right past the premature “for” and “against” camps that stymie an idea before it’s even tried. It can be flogged and measured in the real world rather than on paper or chats.
What did this test mule cost the town, the tax payer, or cost local business levies from the BID? …Nothing! It’s a free gift, and independent of public funds or even donations. It’s a proof-of-concept.
If it’s a horrible idea, we know in practice! If it’s a great idea or one that needs modification, we know!
Sometimes ya just gotta start something and put it out there.
A dozen of these charged and parked at Castlewood could service the town, our tourism, and we avoid NSC parking charges. By 2030 Clevedon is committed to becoming net zero. However you feel about that goal, this is a fun step, no?
And it is reminiscent of the Stephens public transit system from 1898, in GWR colours and Victorian appointments.
The town council, the BID, Sustainable Clevedon, the Civic Society, or some other entity could scale it up after confirming compliance with licensing, highways, and health and safety. Edinburgh has a successful pedicab service. We could too!
I’m happy just to use it privately for Clevedon Cars & Coffee®, and giving rides to people with mobility issues so they can see all the various show car zones second Saturday of the month. If it is to become more than that is up to all y’all. But the prototype takes much of the guess work out, and hopefully stream lines some of the debate.
