Pedicab business seeking home in Asheville, target area spans downtown and more

Sarah Honosky, Asheville Citizen Times
·2 min read
Jessie Lehamann drives a family around downtown in April on her pedicab. The 5-foot-tall rickshaw lady is a curious sight chugging up the hills of downtown Asheville, pedal-powering three or four people to drum circles, restaurants, bars, hotels and Pack Square, among other busker hangouts. http://blogs2.citizen-times.com/photography/2014/04/14/the-sunday-frame-taxi-driver-on-two-wheels/

A pedal bicycle taxi service is looking for a new home in Asheville, despite terrain challenges that make pedicab businesses a steep investment in a hilly city.

Blue Ridge Rickshaw will pursue a franchise agreement before the Public Safety Committee on Jan. 25, seeking a recommendation that it be moved to Asheville City Council for review and approval.

Branded as a "locally owned rickshaw company servicing downtown Asheville," its Facebook page announced Jan. 21 that it will arrive downtown in "April or May."

A pedicab is classified as a slow moving vehicle operation, and could have a minor impact on traffic flow.

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In the past, staff has brought these types of requests before the committee for review and input, though it is not required.

Pedicabs are prohibited from operating on public streets where the speed limit is 35 mph or higher.

Its proposed service area spans the city, including:

  • Central Business District

  • South Slope area

  • Hillcrest community

  • Lee Walker Heights community

  • Kenilworth Forest community

  • River Arts District

  • Historic Montford District

  • Five Points community

  • Albemarle Park community

  • West Asheville

  • West Asheville estates community

  • Falconhurst community

  • Burton Street community

  • Malvern Hills

  • Biltmore Village

According to the staff report, the pedicab service may use up to a total of five vehicles, however only one vehicle and one operator will be used initially. Its hours of operation are proposed to be 7 a.m.-3 a.m. seven days a week.

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The service will provide point-to-point transportation and various tours, and the franchise agreement would allow it to grow.

According to its Facebook page, prices vary depending on amount of people and distance of the ride, usually beginning at $10 a person.

Staff recommends approval of the franchise agreement. Though there is the chance it could impact vehicular traffic flow, it supports diversified job growth and business development, alternative modes of transportation and "enhances visitor experience."

The city has struggled to sustain similar businesses in the past, like Asheville Bike Taxi, whose owner Jessie Lehman sold her pedicab business after three years of making it work downtown.

Lehman used electric motors to navigate the steep hills. According to the staff report, Blue Ridge Rickshaw may install an electric assist motor for each pedicab which cannot exceed 750 watts.

Franchise agreements require two readings at City Council meetings with the first one scheduled for Feb. 8 and the second one scheduled for Feb. 22.

Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Blue Ridge Rickshaw seeks to operate pedicab in Asheville