Japanese Pedicabs

[Trixi.com]

http://www-1.expo2005.or.jp/en/g2/header/logo.gif
http://www.pedicabforum.com/download/expo4pedicabs.jpg
Photo - Source: www.velotaxi.jp (http://www.velotaxi.jp)

"...Another unique feature being tested at the Nagakute Area of EXPO 2005 are bicycle taxis that will consist of electrically-assisted bicycles equipped with passenger seating fixtures...."
http://www-1.expo2005.or.jp/ml/en/07/

(http://www-1.expo2005.or.jp/ml/en/07/)

During the Expo 2005 in Aichi, Japan (http://www.expo2005.com/) (March 25 - September 25, 2005), the visitors will maybe see some new pedicabs:

- The well known Velotaxi (http://www.velotaxi.com)(the blue pedicab)
- A new Panasonic pedicab (the yellow one)
- A Yamaha pedicab (the white one)
- Another pedicab... I don't know the manufacturer


Download the PDF with more information
(http://www.pedicabforum.com/download/japanexpo2005.pdf)
Ok, the text is in japanese...you will need the Adobe Fonts (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/acrrasianfontpack.html) (Asian Font Pack) to see some more information...

Is somebody here at the forum who could translate it to English, Spanish or German?

The photos are very interesting anyway http://pedicabforum.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
To be honest: I love the design of the velotaxi...not because I am a Velotaxi operator http://pedicabforum.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gifhttp://pedicabforum.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gifhttp://pedicabforum.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif...no, it is just a question of design...

If somebody will be in Aichi, Japan: Please send me photos!

[Trixi.com]

http://www.pedicabforum.com/download/japan/Velotaxi.jpg
Velotaxi, Germany
Height: 3.050 mm
Wide: 1.100 mm
Length: 1.750 mm
Weight: 144 kg
Voltage: 24 V

http://www.pedicabforum.com/download/japan/Yamaha.jpg
Yamaha, Japan
Height: 2.950 mm
Wide: 1.250 mm
Length: 1.780 mm
Weight: 160 kg
Voltage: nA


http://www.pedicabforum.com/download/japan/Panasonic.jpg
Panasonic, Japan
Height: 3.100 mm
Wide: 1.230 mm
Length: 1.700 mm
Weight: 180 kg
Voltage: 26 V
http://www.pedicabforum.com/download/japan/Bridgestone.jpg
Bridgestone, Japan
Height: 2.936 mm
Wide: 1.230 mm
Length: 2.000 mm
Weight: 143 kg
Voltage: 26 V

[Trixi.com]

http://www.pedicabforum.com/download/japan/ecotaxi1.jpg
http://www.pedicabforum.com/download/japan/ecotaxi2.jpg
http://www.pedicabforum.com/download/japan/ecotaxi3.jpg

More information:
http://www.noza.jp/ss-noza-1.jpg (http://www.noza.jp)

http://www.noza.jp

[bikecab999]

I used to live in Japan and can read it a bit. My wife helped me translate a bit more. It really doesn't state much. Just the specs really, the weight, and the basic concept is a zero emissions vehicle to reduce stress on the planet, driver and passengers. These were a collaboration by Velotaxi JP and the Expo. I am guessing the designs were based mostly on the Velotaxi from Germany. They are all electric and very heavy most with solar
charging.

This expo is kind of a various design expo were they will be used. The theme of the expo changes every year but this year has sort of an eco twist. It is a big event like the Worlds
Fair sort of. The expo will start in spring, and last most of the summer near Nagoya. Not to be confused with Nagano were the Olympics were held.

The basic fares will be rather cheap. There will be a fee for riding in the taxis about $2.75USD per adult and about $1.75USD for children and seniors.

These big companies are just trying the idea out as a test and are not for sale at this time. There will be about 20 cabs total: 7 Bridgestone brand pedicabs, 7 Yamaha brand pedicabs, 6 National/Panasonic brand pedicabs and 2 Velotaxis.

Although, I recently read on a Japanese website a cab like these should sell for about $10,500 + s/h for the electric only versions. I just dug up were I found out about the price of these type vehicles. I think you can email them about a promotional DVD kit. Take a look here:

http://noza.jp/

To rich for my blood and too damn heavy. All that fiberglass and rotational molded plastic makes that thing overkill in the weight department. If you are going to make a cab that heavy it would have to be mostly electric assist, then what is really the point of having pedals? I like my cab to be about 150 lbs/ 70 Kilos and easy to pedal. A bit over the top but still nice to see folks trying something different.

I actually got most of my info from this website:
http://203.181.119.4/jp/A0/A9/A9.5/

I hope this helped and this is really a rough translation. It is funny about 4 years ago I was living in Japan. Before I went to Japan I had my first pedicab ride. I thought it was the greatest thing. Then in Japan I say they had real Rickshaws. They are called Jinrickishaw. Directly translated is “people moving cart.” Pedicabs in Japan care called jitensha-takushi or “ bicycle taxi”. I thought pedicabs would be more suitable, as Japan is such a bicycle friendly country. I asked my Japanese friends about importing pedicabs to Tokyo and they all thought I was crazy. Then I moved away and Japan was hit with the Velotaxi craze shortly after. My friends never doubted me again. I guess that is was started my pedicab obsession

-JK



Edit: Gerald - JK: Thanx for this good work. I moved your answer to the related thread.

[Oblio]

what awful looking bikes. i rode a velotaxi once - awful.

[robelopez]

I appologize for not posting anything before, I am actually learning a bit about this industry and interested in being part of it. I appreciate the acceptance of my request to become part of the forum. It's been increadibly helpful.

[tdayuk]

I appologize for not posting anything before, I am actually learning a bit about this industry and interested in being part of it. I appreciate the acceptance of my request to become part of the forum. It's been increadibly helpful.

Welcome & feel free to post your comments in the 'talk,talk' section. Trust you'll have fun surfing the site & look around the gallery too for more pedicab pictures.