cdamatt
07-04-2005, 00:20
http://cdapress.com/art/top_logo2.jpg (http://cdapress.com/)
http://cdapress.com/content/articles/2005/04/06/news/news01.jpg
Pedal Power
JASON HUNT/Press
Bill Dodd, left, and Matt Tosi, owners of Coeur d'Alene Pedicab,
display their two new bicycle-powered taxis.
By TOM GREENE
Firefighters to offer downtown
pedicab tours this summer
COEUR d'ALENE
People looking for ways to get around downtown will have one more option this summer: Rickshaw.
Called pedicabs these days, two local firefighters will offer rides in the bicycle-powered taxis for tips starting early May.
"I thought Coeur d'Alene would be the perfect place for this kind of thing," said Matt Tosi, 30, co-owner of Coeur d'Alene Pedicab LLC.
Tosi talked to friends and another Coeur d'Alene firefighter, Bill Dodd, 29, and decided the idea just might work.
"Bill finally listened. Without him I'd still be talking about what a great idea it is," Tosi said.
The two received approval from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee, the Centennial Trail Foundation and the City Council earlier this year. They bought the pedicabs and will be fully insured, have turn signals, head lights, running lights and seat belts.
Tosi said pedicab businesses in other cities have failed after they started without going through the proper channels.
"Because they haven't gone out and gotten all of the blessings, all of a sudden they've got a bunch of restrictions put on them," Dodd said. "We're keeping it professional."
Anything in the downtown-Riverstone area will be free of charge -- just tips. Tosi said they decided working for tips, except for long-distance jaunts, would work out better for the drivers.
"If a driver is having a great day in tips and then someone wants to go to, say, the Beachouse, we'll let them (the driver) decide (how much to charge). Then the negotiations start," Tosi said. "If the drivers aren't making anything for their effort, we'll definitely adjust."
Dodd said their future plan is to expand outside of the downtown area and do a tour of the Rails to Trails and Centennial Trail for those who can't peddle.
Both men admit they aren't exactly world-class bikers.
"I've taken the occasional spinning class at the gym," Tosi said.
But being a firefighter keeps them in shape, and since all firefighters are trained EMTs, it would be hard to find a driver better prepared for an emergency.
Firefighter Mandy Jacques designed the logos for the pedicabs and other firefighters have expressed an interest in driving this summer.
"Firefighters are all extroverts," Tosi said. "We like getting out and saying hello, so this works perfect for us."
Information: 664-CABS
http://cdapress.com/content/articles/2005/04/06/news/news01.jpg
Pedal Power
JASON HUNT/Press
Bill Dodd, left, and Matt Tosi, owners of Coeur d'Alene Pedicab,
display their two new bicycle-powered taxis.
By TOM GREENE
Firefighters to offer downtown
pedicab tours this summer
COEUR d'ALENE
People looking for ways to get around downtown will have one more option this summer: Rickshaw.
Called pedicabs these days, two local firefighters will offer rides in the bicycle-powered taxis for tips starting early May.
"I thought Coeur d'Alene would be the perfect place for this kind of thing," said Matt Tosi, 30, co-owner of Coeur d'Alene Pedicab LLC.
Tosi talked to friends and another Coeur d'Alene firefighter, Bill Dodd, 29, and decided the idea just might work.
"Bill finally listened. Without him I'd still be talking about what a great idea it is," Tosi said.
The two received approval from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee, the Centennial Trail Foundation and the City Council earlier this year. They bought the pedicabs and will be fully insured, have turn signals, head lights, running lights and seat belts.
Tosi said pedicab businesses in other cities have failed after they started without going through the proper channels.
"Because they haven't gone out and gotten all of the blessings, all of a sudden they've got a bunch of restrictions put on them," Dodd said. "We're keeping it professional."
Anything in the downtown-Riverstone area will be free of charge -- just tips. Tosi said they decided working for tips, except for long-distance jaunts, would work out better for the drivers.
"If a driver is having a great day in tips and then someone wants to go to, say, the Beachouse, we'll let them (the driver) decide (how much to charge). Then the negotiations start," Tosi said. "If the drivers aren't making anything for their effort, we'll definitely adjust."
Dodd said their future plan is to expand outside of the downtown area and do a tour of the Rails to Trails and Centennial Trail for those who can't peddle.
Both men admit they aren't exactly world-class bikers.
"I've taken the occasional spinning class at the gym," Tosi said.
But being a firefighter keeps them in shape, and since all firefighters are trained EMTs, it would be hard to find a driver better prepared for an emergency.
Firefighter Mandy Jacques designed the logos for the pedicabs and other firefighters have expressed an interest in driving this summer.
"Firefighters are all extroverts," Tosi said. "We like getting out and saying hello, so this works perfect for us."
Information: 664-CABS