For those who go drinking downtown, attend weekly Farmers’ Market or just need a ride home, there is an eco-friendly form of transportation that provides a convenient way home to passengers; and best of all, it’s free.
New World Rickshaw Co. was started by Seth Tuton in 2000 in Santa Barbara. Originally, the Santa Barbara circuit had 15 rickshaws in its fleet, but when the city government received complaints about the rickshaws, officials stepped in to regulate. The city said that because the company paid the riders real wages, they had to license each rider, submit them to an FBI background check, and insure each rickshaw for about $2,000 each. The service ultimately had to stop because the new restrictions weren’t feasible.
Fred Stamm, a Cal Poly civil engineering alumnus and professional cyclist, teamed up with Tuton in 2008 to restart the company and bring it to the Central Coast after an almost six year sabbatical.
Stamm, who suffered a knee injury in his second year at Cal Poly, took some time away from cycling to heal and experience a more typical college life. But he could only be away for so long.
“Bike season was getting closer and I thought doing the rickshaw thing would be a good idea,” he said. “After I got better I was referred to New World Rickshaw by a friend who knew Seth.”
Now, NWR runs both here in San Luis Obispo and in Santa Barbara. The pedicabs are generally downtown on weekends or at Farmers’ Market every Thursday. NWR is a non-profit organization with free services, but they happily accept tips from their passengers.
To bring in income, NWR is discussing advertising withlocal businesses including Downtown Brewing Co., Frog and Peach, Firestone Grill and the bike shops. Sponsorship has taken off with their Santa Barbara counterparts.
For Stamm, working the rickshaw is a good way to train for competition and stay in shape. He recalled many different stories about people he’s met while just riding around town.
“One night I was riding down Monterey (Street) and these four, big guys who were probably in their 40s wanted a ride from me,” Stamm recalled. “I wasn’t sure I could carry them all, so one guy decided to race me on foot back to their hotel while I pulled two of his buddies on the rickshaw. The fourth guy just kind of took off.”
For people who frequent downtown, NWR provides a safe way home. Riders take people all over the city. Locals also like the accessibility of this transportation in town.
“I live downtown and I see them riding around all the time,” Margaux Mireles, a San Luis Obispo native said. “I think it’s great because I know that I can go out on foot earlier in the evening and if it gets too late, I can get a safe ride home without having to pay a lot for a cab.”
New World Rickshaw rides most nights of the week and has their number posted on the side of each cart. Everyone is encouraged to call.