No personal attacks will be permitted on this site.
Hey guys,
We are an intense group at times. I have personally have to moderate my own opinion and delete my own rants when I go so far as to write something that is outside of the stated goals of this site:
“This website is intended to provide news and information to Austin pedicab drivers, City of Austin employees, pedicab business owners, passengers, and anyone interested in the Austin Pedicab community.”
There are a great many things that I write that have not been published. That being said, this site is not a forum for personal attacks, slanders, rumors, blame mongering, etc. I have recently edited several comments that I deemed to fit in one or more of the previous categories.
On the other hand I do encourage everyone who may be interested in saying some thing about how the Austin pedicab community is doing stuff to write up a little article.
Tell us why you think Mainstreets are great or suck. What is so great about a Cycles Maximus trike? What are the down sides and upsides to trailers? Should trailers be required to have brakes? What are the best ways to address the gypsy golf carts that are operating illegally? What is it like to be a pedicabber? Who is the best company to rent from, who is the worst? Please offer constructive criticism, or possible solutions to percived problems. Give us you opinions about the proposed updates to the pedicab inspection standards.
Tell us about your experiences. Tell us about what works or does not work for you. Please don’t get into personal attacks and slanders. But please do provide us with your informed opinion about what does works or does not and why.
If you would like to contribute an article to this site, please leave a comment saying as much or give me a call.
-Ken Cameron
512-584-9233
15. December, 2008 at 07:58
Oops, sorry Ken, but getting fired before Xmas is really shitty. I apologize for any comment that was percieved as “personal”.
So naturally, after paying 3 years of consecutive lease, I found the firing … from another quote on your site .. ” a new low in despicability has been reached.”
But I did offer some valuable advice, seeing as Ive started, insured and permitted my company in under 2 weeks.
However, If i was going to write an article, I would detail how easy it is to go indy and still pay off your cab in less then it cost to rent one.
But hey, we all know what happened last time someone tried to write that?
So heres something for everyone to ponder????
The insurance companies are in the process of setting up their own regulations for pedicabs. The AGTD meetings are futile. No insurance = no permits. I dont think the Insurance agencies are going to have an open forum company meeting for that one either.
See you at the party
15. December, 2008 at 09:53
I’ll be there.
15. December, 2008 at 10:52
Sorry, its only for pedicabbers. You cant come.
15. December, 2008 at 15:10
Ken, I don’t see why you took down the “Going Indy” post in the first place. It’s not like starting a small business is a classified secret. Anyone who wants to start their own pedicab business can find out what they need to know with a little research and a few phone calls, you cut down the legwork by putting some of the info together in one place. I didn’t really agree with most of reasons you listed for going independent, but, hey, it’s your blog, you can write what you want, and the basic info was good. The city runs a series of small business owner classes too (http://www.austinsmallbiz.com/WebCOE/calofevents.php?SponsorType=S), which might be helpful. Personally, going independent sounds like a big headache to me (sort of like owning a house) and I prefer to lease, but it’s always good to know there are options.
16. December, 2008 at 01:56
Roman good luck on the comapany. Please let us know what your insurance agent had to say about insuring pedicabs.
16. December, 2008 at 09:38
Hey Ken and groovy cool pedicabbers,
Check this out…
“We are no longer insuring home made pedicabs…”
They asked for make and manufacturer.
Gave me some really really high quotes. I mean so high, I expect to see cabs leasing at 50 dollars a night soon.
There is a loop hole however I’ll only share in person via word of mouth.
But moving on.
-Buying a cycle maximus was easy, on sale with 20% discount.
-Delivery was easy and relatively cheap for a manhattan to Austin delivery. 4 day delivery time frame.
-storage was easy, 4×8 trailer with roof. Zero rental or overhead fee. However, I did have to title and insure my trailer. To get plates. Still cheaper then renting a storage facility.
-AGTD? Real easy to work with, Marcy treats “everyone” the same. Their is no special treatment. That is why she invited a prospecting indy rider to the AGTD meeting someone got all grumpy over.
-It is NOW, as of this second, the time to go indy. Buy a manufactured cab. Dont DIY. The insurance agencies have spoken.
On a side note, Ive often been a poo slinger of trike bikes. Secretly, Ive always been envious of RoadKill’s Cabs.
Theyre just so nice and easy to haul.
Yea, Ive pulled a wagon for almost 3 years strait. My body aches. My knees are crunchy.
Ive seen alot of cool people hurt their backs and retire from wagons.
My decisions were based upon my own well being.
I honestly thought about getting the cheapest everything…
But again, I cant put a price on my back or well being.
But thats the scoop.
The insurance agencies have doubled the rates and will no longer be covering DIY cabs soon.
how soon?
I never got an answer. Just that..
“There are talks in our company and thru our policy carriers ever since the Seatlle accident.”
Seatlle baby.
Ripple effect.
Congress Bridge… ripple effect.
Im proud in the 3 years of my service not one pasenger has been hurt. Not one ticket issued. Not one fender bender.
Ride smart. Safe. and dont let the public weight you down. 3 passengers max. please~
16. December, 2008 at 16:20
After conducting my own investigation, my insurance broker assured me that business’ who utilized MANUFACTURED trailer pedicabs don’t have to worry about losing their GL. Romanzoo’s threats that the insurance industry is considering not insuring manufactured trailer or T-type pedicabs is FALSE.
She did state however that the industry is considering new guidelines for ALL pedicab company’s due to the recent accidents that have happened here and across the nation. She noted that insurance rates have increased across the board because of these accidents, but it doesn’t mean that they want to put anyone out of a job or out of business altogether. Some of the latest NEW guidelines she mentioned are as follows;
Submission of photographs of the vehicle to be insured.
Requirement that pedicab operators must be 21 or older.
Requirement that riders wear shoes with laces that tie.
And…
Enforcement of the 3 passenger maximum load limit.
According to my broker these guidelines change from month to month, but when questioned, she highly doubts that these guidelines would ever consider or favor manufactured trikes over manufactured wagons. These guidelines are established to promote safety, not run company’s out of business.
It doesn’t matter what kind of pedicab you ride. The city of Austin as well, does not play favorites, if the city gets rid of one type of pedicab, trust me, they will get rid of them all and be done with it.
18. December, 2008 at 11:23
Ken, I don’t see why you took down the “Going Indy” post in the first place. It’s not like starting a small business is a classified secret. Anyone who wants to start their own pedicab business can find out what they need to know with a little research and a few phone calls, you cut down the legwork by putting some of the info together in one place. I didn’t really agree with most of reasons you listed for going independent, but, hey, it’s your blog, you can write what you want, and the basic info was good. The city runs a series of small business owner classes too (http://www.austinsmallbiz.com/WebCOE/calofevents.php?SponsorType=S), which might be helpful.
19. December, 2008 at 07:35
Its still out there. Google it. cached html. plus, truth be told, he took it down for political reasons. wich i 50/50 agree on. A pedicabber should gain some experience before jumping into it. You cant have every person who can build a cab out of old car mufflers and lego bricks on the street. There should be some form of unorthodox apprenticeship before registering to become a company. I was asked in detail about my prior experience when submitting my Operator Authority Packet. The only resource I had was a phone and my feet. Alot more can be done in person then online. Or, if you have to ask, you shouldnt be asking. not to sound like a prick.
20. December, 2008 at 06:54
Roman, Will,
Can you drop the bickering? I am sure you guys have each others email addresses.
We will all be out on the road working the same areas. These matters will eventually seem trivial. Time heals these wounds.
I predict that Roman will feel alot better about the work he does after setting up his own company and getting his own super nice Trike.
I predict Will is going to get a new crew of people that work hard, are reliable, and like his low rental rates.
Best of luck to the both of you guys. In the mean while I suggest that you guys take the grumpy parts of this “discussion” offline.
If you guys are interested in telling the world about your experiences in nurturing good riders, and starting your own company, I would love to get an article or two on these subjects.
20. December, 2008 at 07:06
yawnnnnnnn~ letsee whats on Youtube….
21. December, 2008 at 21:05
Whatever.