A common site in Asia, rickshaws have now made their way to Cyprus
ACROSS Asia and increasingly in Europe’s major capitals, the rickshaw, or Pedi-cabs as they are now called in London, are treated as both trusty public transportation and a welcome tourist attraction. There is some debate as to who was first to progress from a rickshaw where the driver holds on to two wooden slats between which he runs, pulling his passengers along with him.
Adding the bicycle to create ‘Pedi-power’ was said to be the brainchild of an American missionary resident in Japan but in 1870 an out of work Samurai warrior also laid claim to the invention.
Since then there has been a constant chorus of bicycle bells all over the Far East, with the Bangladeshi city of Dhaka laying claim to the title of rickshaw capital of the world, having more than 300,000 of these taxis.
Now it’s the turn of Cyprus to experience this smooth gliding motion and leisurely-paced mode of transport, with the launch of The Green Taxi company.
Parviz and Corinna Bijareh, both dedicated environmentalists, set up the Cyprus-based company to reinforce the idea that we need to live in more ecologically-sensitive way.
Pedi-power can, and does offer a recognised way forward in the reduction of CO2 emissions, particularly near our beach and promenade areas, where people come to relax and relish a relatively noise-free environment.
Currently the Green Taxi Company have taxis in the urban districts of Limassol, Paphos, Nicosia and Ayia Napa.
We decided to test out this smooth ride at Paphos harbour, where we asked tourists to try it out.
First up were Mrs Martin and Mrs Damby from Lincolnshire, both virgins to the concept who sportingly hopped on and after five minutes we had quite a job asking them to leave their seat as they fancied hiring the Green Taxi to take them all the way down the promenade to meet up with some friends. Kevin and Margaret Hutchinson were next on board; they also loved it, being surprised at how nice it was to get a ‘lovely breeze’ despite the fact that the pedal power is only about 5mph. They did say, however, that their home county of Derbyshire couldn’t possibly support such transport as there are some pretty challenging hills for even ordinary cyclists, far less those hauling behind them 30 stone in combined body weight.
Sayeh and Nadia, young English ladies now resident in Germany, told me after their first experience of pedal power: “we felt very safe and extremely comfortable and would use the bikes to travel from one club to another as we like being able to see and be seen!”
Mahmoud Halvaie and his wife Susan live in Germany. Both are very familiar with this mode of transport with many of their cities having turned to Pedi-power for sightseeing trips. They were actually quite surprised that this innovative and green mode of transport had only now hit the streets of Cyprus.
I asked our very own Lance Armstrong, in the form of Ovidiu, the driver, if he didn’t have some sort of grim death wish pedalling around in this heat. “Not at all, I love it, plus I am well shaded and also drink lots of water. I am also very fit and it’s a fun way to earn a living as I meet so many interesting people – we have a leisurely chat and ride around as I show them the sights of Paphos”.
These mobile platforms also offer advertisers a unique way of communicating their products or services to the public, twelve hours a day from 8 am until 8 pm seven days a week.
The rates are £5 per person for 20 minutes, with a maximum of two passengers per Pedi cab. You can also book a longer period of time aboard if you wish a full sightseeing tour. If you want to book the bike and driver for a special occasion or night out, then the price can be negotiated.
One couple whose wedding takes place in September spotted the Green Taxi and have now booked it for their wedding.
One of the less pleasant facts of life here in Cyprus is the huge number of dogs and cats killed or maimed on every day on our busy roads. The Green Taxi Company, in an effort to help the cause of animal welfare, will work with and generously donate a percentage of each fare to the Paphiakos Animal Charity.
l To book a Green Taxi Tel: 96 592788
