First article for TW on MV: Cruisin' in a rickshaw

Tonight I'm starting my first tipped job, in the front of the house at Mediterranean. Not sure if I'll be bussing, waiting, hosting, or bar-backing, but I'm looking forward to it. I should have some solid tales as I join the massive, college-age summer work force in restaurants.

I'm interested to see how much Memorial Day weekend catalyzes the shift from 20,000 annual inhabitants on Martha's Vineyard to the 100,000-plus in the summer season. I'm sure the Vineyard will begin its transformation to a madhouse pretty swiftly over the weekend.

The first issue of This Week on Martha's Vineyard came out yesterday. I've got two articles on facing pages. Since I don't think the website will be up until the weekly goes into full force on June 18, I'll post my first story below. Disclaimer: This story belongs to This Week on Martha's Vineyard. Check out their website when it's up and read the paper when you're on the Vineyard! Another disclaimer: If you visit me, we're going for one of these rickshaw rides.

NOTE: Hover over pictures to read captions.
DOUBLE NOTE: Wrote a short story on Wednesday night and finalized it yesterday. Comment or e-mail me at zachary_dionne@umit.maine.edu if you'd like to read it.

Rickshaw company pedals for a cause

Leisurely rides provide transportation and social experience for gratuities only

By Zach Dionne

5/21/09

Saturday afternoon, there’s no wait for Oak Bluffs’ newest cab service. It helps that Vineyard Pedicab is based around bicycle-pulled rickshaws and that locals and tourists alike aren’t sure what to make of the service yet. Is it an expensive gimmick? Is it practical? Is it even fun?

Pedicab offers its efficient, four-vehicle service for free, solely requesting tips and donating its proceeds to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, a cause driver Clairetta Stutzman, 24, from Vermont says “makes it worth pedaling.” And yes, it’s plenty fun – in a half-hour ride with Clairetta, pleasant conversation never dwindles.

Clairetta, who has been driving a Pedicab for a week, doesn’t struggle lugging two average-sized males up hills on a loop down Circuit Avenue, Narragansett Avenue, around Ocean Park and through the Martha’s Vineyard Campmeeting Association grounds. Even in the grueling portions of the trip, she’s all smiles and friendly, informational banter. Clairetta gleans tidbits of insight from local riders; now she can casually dish bits like the fact that dogs are “hired” to scare geese in Ocean Park in the summer.

Virtually every person the rickshaw passes on this particular ride either says hello or receives a greeting from Clairetta. A painter waves, shortly followed by a couple in an SUV greeting the rickshaw at a stop sign while two golden retrievers poke their heads out the back window to contribute to the hello. Comments range from “You got business! Good work!” to “How’s the legs?” from a worker high atop a lift.

The rickshaw-bike weighs 150 pounds without passengers. Clairetta weighs 130. The rickshaws typically carry one to two passengers, but three or four is possible, although strenuous on the driver. There is no suggested tip amount.

On Pedicab’s first Saturday night, cabs were expected to be out until 9 or 10 p.m. The drivers called it quits at 2 a.m.

John Pasquina, 26, began Vineyard Pedicab with his brother William Pasquina, 28. The younger Pasquina prides the company for its Oak Bluffs centricity.

“It’s pretty local. It’s a good way for tourists to see areas they wouldn’t normally see,” Pasquina said. “Pedicab is a really cool approach and it’s really community-based.”

The Pasquinas, from West Newbury, modeled the service after Newburyport Pedicab, a business partner operating since 2007. The Pasquinas were friends of the Newburyport business’s creators and worked with them.

“We were really successful there and have been achieving our goal of donating a lot to charity,” Pasquina said. He stressed Vineyard Pedicab’s role as a green, charitable organization.

According to Pasquina, safety is not a concern. Newburyport Pedicab has had no safety issues in three years of business.

“The rickshaws are pretty secure,” Pasquina said. The ride with Clairetta is smooth, evenly paced and cars are given right of way.

Vineyard Pedicab contributes to charity in several ways. Local sponsors Eco MV, Squash Meadows, Sharky’s Restaurant and Martha’s Vineyard Saving’s Bank cover expenses.

“They’re all directly green or green friendly, which is really what we’re pushing,” Pasquina said of the sponsors.

The tips both compensate drivers and help Pedicab’s goal to raise $20,000 this summer between Oak Bluffs and Newburyport.

"We lease the cabs for 30 percent of the drivers' tips and whatever is left after any business expenses goes to Dana Farber through the Pan Mass Challenge," Pasquina said. "It is our goal to get this number as close to 30 percent as possible, but seeing as it is a start up year, we have quite a few costs to cover."

On Pan-Mass Days, named for a bike trek fundraiser for cancer charities, all tips will go to charity. Vineyard Pedicab recently hosted the Dana Farber Jam Bash concert in Newburyport and earned $1,500. Pasquina said he thinks the Dana Farber Cancer Institute is “doing the most for the cancer community.”

Clairetta’s favorite part of Pedicab is the eco-friendly aspect and the fresh way of seeing the area.

“There’s so much history here,” she said. Her favorite locale to ride through is the camp grounds, pointing out her favorite "gingerbread houses."

“I think the novelty is a pretty big thing. People say they feel like royalty,” Pasquina said. “It’s a great way to have a short trip.” Most rides are under one mile.

As of Sunday, Pedicab had six drivers with four more in training. Pasquina said he hopes for about 15 drivers.

“It leaves you pretty happy at the end of the day,” Pasquina said, adding that an expansion to Edgartown may be in the works. “We think that it would fit in quite well with the colonial style. This is still up in the air.”

Vineyard Pedicab operates from 10 a.m. to midnight or 1 a.m.

“We’re stationed everywhere. We’re always driving. You’ll hear our bell dinging in the distance,” Pasquina said.

Call (978) 270-0652 or (978) 270-6150 to hail a cab or listen for that signature bell.

^Video of a Pedicab tour. Sorry for the wind.