• Font Size    

Most Popular Videos Featured On KDKA.com

Pittsburgh Festivities Kickoff Holidays
E-mail

Close Window E-mail This Page

KD Country: Pedicabs In Pittsburgh

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

Send E-mail

   Print     Share +   
Aug 26, 2009 6:56 pm US/Eastern

KD Country: Pedicabs In Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― Once known as the "Smoky City," Pittsburgh is now gaining a reputation as one of America's "greenest" cities.

By land or by river, green transportation has arrived. Which makes for a pretty good segue into the no-combustion world of pedicabs.

Green Gears began pedaling passengers on the South Side on Saint Patrick's Day.

"You've got to be aware of everything around you. Pedestrians, parked cars, moving cars," Eddie DeCarlo said.

DeCarlo pedals one of seven pedicabs imported from England. A Pittsburgh couple started Green Gears as an alternative to taxi cabs.

"We can get through some of the back streets, some of the tight spots," DeCarlo said.

There's no carbon footprint either, unless you count the carbon dioxide emitted by the hard working driver.

"Makes your knees really sore, but the rest of my body has adjusted to it," DeCarlo said.

The North Side is home to Pittsburgh Pedicabs. Owner Pat Richert says pedaling gives him a measure of anonymous fame.

"No one knows who you are, but everyone wants to see you," Richert said.

Pittsburgh Pedicabs focuses on special occasions like weddings and Steeler games.

"Whenever we're going down the street during Steeler games the guys will high five you. It's a lot of fun," Richert said.

Pat's fleet of four bicycle rickshaws includes one with a lot of miles on it.

"This is our antique vehicle that we're hoping to get on the road for the cultural district. The purple canopy matches the purple loop," Richert said.

This pedicab capitalist turns out to be a soft touch.

"We'll give free rides to the homeless people, just about any people with crutches or a cane," Richert said.


(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Featured Slideshows On KDKA.com

You need the latest Flash player to view video content.
Click here to download.

Click here to bypass this detection if you already have the latest Flash Player.

Dave Crawley's KD Country

Top News Stories

© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.