Laurent of Denton Pedicab informs us that he’ll be doing a ride for a Channel 42 TV film crew this Sunday, and he’s inviting all cyclists to ride along and show support. He says that Mayor Burroughs will be present (in a pedicab, perhaps?), and the ride will go from DP headquarters at 1801 Sena to the downtown square.
Laurent says to meet at 1801 Sena at 10AM.
Additionally, the pedicabs will be getting electric assist motors soon from www.SpeckeBikes.com, a Denton business.
This year, Santa isn’t using a sleigh, he’s using PEDICABS. In Denton.
This morning, while wrapping gifts and preparing for Christmas with relatives, I answered a knock on the door from Laurent Prouvost. With snow swirling behind him and his baby daughter swaddled in blankets, Laurent explained that DentonPedicab LLC will be launching service on January 1, and they’re now taking application inquiries from anyone wanting to ride/drive for them. They’ll eventually have 10-15 pedicabs, and we’ll soon see these large people-powered taxis transforming the visual aesthetic of downtown Denton street traffic.
Back in July, we blogged about Christine and Laurent’s pedicab proposal, and after the city mulled about whether or not to regular pedicab operation in Denton, the city’s legal team green-lighted the project with no regulation.
Since then, Christine and Laurent have raised funds and purchased some of the pedicabs, and we have photo proof!
They’ll be renting out advertising space on the back, as seen in this photo:
The proposed service will create jobs, reduce pollution, calm traffic, and provide a great service to move people between the UNT and TWU campuses, Fry St, the Denton square, and the DCTA A-train station. With the NX35 music conference approaching in March, this service will prove incredibly convenient to smart attendees wanting to avoid driving and parking woes around venues. These pedicabs will be bring people to the business on the square without any taxpayer dollars building a parking garage or striping additional spots. The highly visible bicycles will increase cycling awareness and reinforce the cyclists’ legal rights to ride on Texas streets.
For anyone interested in riding for DentonPedicab, Laurent is holding a December 28 meeting at 3PM, 1801 Sena St. We’ve heard countless cyclists say they would love to ride pedicabs, so now’s their chance!
You can contact DentonPedicab via email and phone:
Laurent Prouvost, President : laurent@dentonpedicab.com : 940-312-8298
Over the years, Denton locals have consistently mentioned the idea of having pedicab service to the downtown and university zones, but until now, we haven’t heard of any proposals reaching city staff desks.
Christine Niblo, Denton resident, proposes to provide pedicab service to the downtown area. In the Operational Outline document, the services/benefits are succinctly summarized:
Denton Pedicab will:
- provide clean, emissions-free, affordable transportation to the central Denton area, including UNT, TWU, and the downtown square
- enhance the visibility of the downtown square to newcomers, particularly university students and their parents
- help reduce the parking burden at and near the downtown square, thus enhancing the downtown experience for Dentonites, tourists, and business-owners
- enhance the unique and friendly downtown Denton atmosphere with an attractive and locally-owned novelty
- provide opportunities for community businesses, organizations, and individuals to charter pedicabs for special occasions and events
Christine reports that she’s submitted her proposal to Denton city staff, and she says she included examples of regulatory ordinance from other cities which have pedicab service.
I’m currently still awaiting the City’s verdict about the legal standing of a pedicab operation in Denton.
The proposal document touts the many ecological benefits of pedicab service, which fall in line with the city’s stated goal of increasing transit diversity and reducing single-occupant vehicle use.
Because pedicab operation is sustainable, the opportunities Denton Pedicab will provide to the community will be long-lasting. No natural resources will be depleted in order to operate pedicabs; therefore, their operation will not be affected by the price of oil, or state emissions standards. No pollution or waste will be caused by the operation of pedicabs.
Denton Pedicab will take great care to employ sustainable practices in all facets of its business, thus optimizing its potential for longevity. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of recycled, renewable, natural, and eco-friendly supplies like paper and cleaning products; as well as a commitment to serving the local community and economy.
Denton Pedicab will offer inspiration and vision to the community by bringing this service to the area at a time when the current transportation paradigm is shifting away from fossil fuels and petroleum-based products. Denton Pedicab will bring the City of Denton one step closer to the sustainability that is so desperately required by these transitional times.
The pedicabs to be used are manufactured in America by Main Street Pedicabs, and feature stout design and safety features like turn signals and 12V lighting.
