Monday, September 03, 2007

A fun way to move around Paris


If you're looking for an unusual way to visit Paris, how about this "Urban Car", a sort of taxi with no engine but a pedaling driver instead? This will not look too unfamiliar to some of my Asian visitors as you can easily find this kind of vehicles in countries like Thailand or Vietnam, but in Paris they are new. The main purpose is to limit the gas emission. It's affordable: 1€50 per person + 1€50 per kilometer (up to 2 passengers) - add one extra euro on Sundays. - and fun. More, here.

25 comments:

  1. I believe that's the sort of bicycle I could actually ride. Where is it parked, please?

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  2. They're peddling a fun service.

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  3. This is a streamlined version of what I've seen and used in India. Good idea!!

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  4. I hope these cars are running when I visit in December. They look fun!

    http://alisoviejodailyphoto.dolorin.com

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  5. I've never seen these Eric! Move over Velib, here you can let someone else pedal for you!

    I see on their website that there's a photo of one with a "Just Married" poster on the back. Maybe you could rent one of these for a day and put "Paris Daily Photo" on the back. That would be some great advertising you'd have to admit!

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  6. We have these in Estonia, in Tallinn http://www.velotakso.ee.
    They are realy popular but only in summertime:)

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  7. Interesting! I'd like to try it.
    Have a nice week ahead Eric.

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  8. we have the same bikes in the city, usually having adds on them

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  9. We explored Grenoble centre in several of these. We met some great college kids who were employed to pedal them about. The rides were enjoyable and the chats were very informative.

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  10. As a driver in Paris, I can tell you that these just suck!!!
    They go so slow that you can stay stucked behind forever...not good when you have an appointment...of course, this is ot the tourist point of view!!!
    And Paris is not Amsterdam...way too much cars to drive bikes safely...I call them "organ donors"!!!

    But the picture is really nice

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  11. C'est cher, je trouve, mais c'est sympa et en prime ça emm*** les automobilistes :)

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  12. That's must be fun to drive one, though I would rather avoid crowded streets.

    And thank you for visiting my blog, it's an honour for me.

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  13. I'm not sure, but it seems from looking at their website that these are powered by electricty and not human pedal power. Is this true?

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  14. These are really popular in Charleston South Carolina as well.

    http://www.ibike.org/economics/pedicab-usa.htm

    I was wondering how long it would take Paris to catch on after the Velib explosion.

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  15. By the way, Happy Labor Day to all of my fellow countrymen(women). Me, I labored today! You?

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  16. Thanks for the holiday wishes, Michael. Me, I worked on doing laundry and shopping, two necessary activities that I dislike. (Nothing like two bags of cleaning products to make me feel that I used my holiday well.) But, it's better than being at work. At least I'll be visiting friends for dinner soon.

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  17. Well I did not know they had these in that many places. Thank you for the update.

    Advertising: yes, as a matter of fact I think they can only be profitable if they have ads on them. I bet they would be happy with some nice ads on this large white back...

    And yes, Michael, a bid ad for PDP would be nice but I surely can't afford it LOL

    Luggi, is that really battery powered? Because I talk to the driver and he definitely sounded like someone out of breath!

    Anonymous: organ donors... Ts ts!

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  18. It's a kind of velo rickshaw like in India..!

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  19. On Sunday on the Rue Daguerre I was almost run over by two guys speeding on Segueways!

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  20. Sympa mais c'est vrai que ça peut paralyser encore plus la circulation...

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  21. C'est super! Et vos pédicabs ont la forme d'un carosse, perfect match pour le lieux!

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