Date: 30 October 2010
Day of Chronicles: 8
Hours: 10:00pm-2:00am
Rides Given: 6
Halloween 2009 was a bonanza for pedicab drivers: Since Halloween fell on a Saturday, both the parade and the serious drinking and partying occurred on the same night - which created a significant demand for late-night transportation. This year, the demand seems to be split between Saturday (serious drinking and partying) and Sunday (parade). Which means that last night no one flagged me down until about 1:30am (when, it seemed, taxi-seeking party goers were reaching critical, now-we'll-take-any-available-conveyance, mass). But by that time I was utterly exhausted - not in my leg muscles, but in my eyes, which were loathe to stay open. So I quit at 2:00am. I suspect if my circadian rhythms had been better calibrated I could have made a good chunk between 2 and 4 in the morning.
It was nice to ride around, late, in Midtown (where I found myself after driving two European ladies from West 11th & 7th, in the Village, to the Regency Hotel, at 61st & Park), amidst not a lot of traffic. It glittered with peace - I wish I could experience it in that state more often. (Alas, my ideal bedtime is about 10pm.)
Costumes? I didn't pay all that much attention. My best-costumed passenger was a fellow dressed up as a pinata, with sticky notes in all the colors of the pastel rainbow hot-glued to some invisible (because totally covered) underlayer.
Pricing: Geez, I am having a hard time with this! I can't seem to get out of the bargain basement. This afternoon I was comparing a few of the fares I quoted last night to what I should have charged, according to my posted (zone-based) rate card. The ride from the West Village to the Regency should have been about $60; I charged $35 (and the ladies, being European, did not tip, though they did have quite a good time and spent their first five or ten minutes in the pedicab giggling non-stop). Generally, I seem to be charging between half and a third of what the rate card says. The two rides on which the rate card and I came close to agreeing were a very short one (6th & West 4th to 14th between 6th & 7th) and one on which I teamed with Gregg (he set the price). Damn! I need to start charging more. Maybe I'll work on that tonight.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Bummer to Bummer
Date: 29 October 2010
Day of Chronicles: 7
Hours: 4:30-6:00pm
Rides Given: 1
Well, honestly, the Friday before Halloween sucked for me last year too. But Halloween itself was great. So I'm going to cut my losses, forgive myself for kicking zero ass tonight, and exercise my prerogative, as a pedicab driver, to set my own hours. That's one of the prime advantages of this gig, right? That you get to quit when you feel like it.
Note to self: In future, if you're going to head in early, do it well before six. Just now it took me twenty minutes to navigate bumper-to-bumper tunnel traffic between 8th & Dyer Avenues. Ah, the bitter irony of getting stuck, on a pedicab, in a sea of motor vehicles! A chance to see how the other half lives?
Day of Chronicles: 7
Hours: 4:30-6:00pm
Rides Given: 1
Well, honestly, the Friday before Halloween sucked for me last year too. But Halloween itself was great. So I'm going to cut my losses, forgive myself for kicking zero ass tonight, and exercise my prerogative, as a pedicab driver, to set my own hours. That's one of the prime advantages of this gig, right? That you get to quit when you feel like it.
Note to self: In future, if you're going to head in early, do it well before six. Just now it took me twenty minutes to navigate bumper-to-bumper tunnel traffic between 8th & Dyer Avenues. Ah, the bitter irony of getting stuck, on a pedicab, in a sea of motor vehicles! A chance to see how the other half lives?
Friday, October 22, 2010
Hell Yeah!
Date: 22 October 2010
Day of Chronicles: 6
Hours: 5:00-9:15pm
Rides Given: 7
Today's tasks were: To contribute as much as I could (in the way of transportation for those seeking it), to learn as much as I could, and to appear as innocent as possible.
Why this last? Because the police are on a pedicab-ticketing tear. I've not been pulled over yet, but yesterday a policewoman reprimanded a passenger of mine for allowing a limb or two to breach the bounds of the passenger seat, and today a policeman pointedly asked me, on 5th Avenue between 57th & 56th, whether I'd just made a turn. I hadn't - I'd simply had a hard time crossing 57th Street, and gotten stuck north of the crosswalk till the light changed - and I suppose he believed me, because (after repeating the question a couple times) he nodded and moved on. Not sure if he was trying to get me for turning south from 57th Street, or for not having my blinker on. Either way - I really was innocent (that time)!
My best passengers of the night were two ladies (visiting from Maryland, I think) whom I picked up at the northeast corner of 8th & 31st. I said sure I'd take them to 57th Street, but they didn't have cash, so I moved on. And then, thirty seconds later, they came running over and asked if it would work for us to stop at an ATM. One of them said she'd always wanted to take a pedicab, but hadn't yet had a chance. (That, I must say, was a heartening thing to hear.) As we drove up 6th Avenue, the two of them (being young, attractive, vivacious, and very well put-together) were getting (and returning) shout-outs from passersby, taking in the sights, and generally enjoying the heck out of their experience in an open-air conveyance. Bet that part of their NYC experience is gonna make it into a status update....
Tonight, for perhaps the first time, I convinced a couple very reluctant people to take a ride (often I do take no for answer). I just kept talking till they got in. However: Their getting in was a mixed blessing, since they ended up aborting the ride less than halfway to their purported destination. Oh well. A couple blocks farther down 7th Avenue I picked up a much more willing couple heading (they thought) to Soho (really they wanted to go to 12 East 12th Street, which is, ahem and thank my lucky stars, not as far).
Another first: I plucked a passenger from the 7th Avenue side of Penn Station. Last night a woman approached me, on that side, asking for a ride - but tonight was the first time I mustered the courage to solicit the line. I found a brave lady heading to 186 Avenue B (which happens to be just next door to Gruppo, one of the restaurants Revolution Rickshaws makes regular deliveries to). I told her $25, she balked, I said $20, she said okay, she gave me $30 when we got there. And enjoyed herself thoroughly, as far as I could tell. "It's so ecological!" she said, as we rolled down 5th Avenue.
There are more stories I could tell (the more rides I give the more stories I gather) but I am tired, and starving, and ready to head home. Stay tuned for the next episode: Halloween weekend! Yippee-yee-yi-yay!
Day of Chronicles: 6
Hours: 5:00-9:15pm
Rides Given: 7
Today's tasks were: To contribute as much as I could (in the way of transportation for those seeking it), to learn as much as I could, and to appear as innocent as possible.
Why this last? Because the police are on a pedicab-ticketing tear. I've not been pulled over yet, but yesterday a policewoman reprimanded a passenger of mine for allowing a limb or two to breach the bounds of the passenger seat, and today a policeman pointedly asked me, on 5th Avenue between 57th & 56th, whether I'd just made a turn. I hadn't - I'd simply had a hard time crossing 57th Street, and gotten stuck north of the crosswalk till the light changed - and I suppose he believed me, because (after repeating the question a couple times) he nodded and moved on. Not sure if he was trying to get me for turning south from 57th Street, or for not having my blinker on. Either way - I really was innocent (that time)!
My best passengers of the night were two ladies (visiting from Maryland, I think) whom I picked up at the northeast corner of 8th & 31st. I said sure I'd take them to 57th Street, but they didn't have cash, so I moved on. And then, thirty seconds later, they came running over and asked if it would work for us to stop at an ATM. One of them said she'd always wanted to take a pedicab, but hadn't yet had a chance. (That, I must say, was a heartening thing to hear.) As we drove up 6th Avenue, the two of them (being young, attractive, vivacious, and very well put-together) were getting (and returning) shout-outs from passersby, taking in the sights, and generally enjoying the heck out of their experience in an open-air conveyance. Bet that part of their NYC experience is gonna make it into a status update....
Tonight, for perhaps the first time, I convinced a couple very reluctant people to take a ride (often I do take no for answer). I just kept talking till they got in. However: Their getting in was a mixed blessing, since they ended up aborting the ride less than halfway to their purported destination. Oh well. A couple blocks farther down 7th Avenue I picked up a much more willing couple heading (they thought) to Soho (really they wanted to go to 12 East 12th Street, which is, ahem and thank my lucky stars, not as far).
Another first: I plucked a passenger from the 7th Avenue side of Penn Station. Last night a woman approached me, on that side, asking for a ride - but tonight was the first time I mustered the courage to solicit the line. I found a brave lady heading to 186 Avenue B (which happens to be just next door to Gruppo, one of the restaurants Revolution Rickshaws makes regular deliveries to). I told her $25, she balked, I said $20, she said okay, she gave me $30 when we got there. And enjoyed herself thoroughly, as far as I could tell. "It's so ecological!" she said, as we rolled down 5th Avenue.
There are more stories I could tell (the more rides I give the more stories I gather) but I am tired, and starving, and ready to head home. Stay tuned for the next episode: Halloween weekend! Yippee-yee-yi-yay!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Getting Stronger
Date: 21 October 2010
Day of Chronicles: 5
Hours: 5:00-7:45pm
Rides Given: 5
Of the five rides I gave today, three originated with the passengers flagging me down. I'm beginning to believe that there really are such things as good nights and bad nights, busy nights and dead nights, i.e., that whether I do well does depend, at least in part, on factors other than my verve, wit, and gumption.
I was taking some serious trips to the bargain basement tonight - quoting prices as low as ten and twelve dollars (thank goodness I got some big tips). I suppose I do that in defense of being shut out, going home with nothing. I'd rather give a bunch of low-priced rides than wander around empty. At least when I'm providing transportation I'm getting stronger, learning the city, solving routing problems that could crop up again in the future. Right now, as well, I'm preparing for Halloween: By the time it comes, I want to be strong enough (both in mind and body) fully to take advantage of one of the few days out of the year when pedicabs are all the rage.
Speaking of something being all the rage: I was just reading in The Wall Street Journal that the best way to train people to adopt green behaviors is to convince them that everyone else has already adopted them. I do think it's true that a taxi-seeker watching a paying passenger emerge from a pedicab, after a satisfactory ride, is more likely to take that pedicab herself. (It's also true that once one passenger in a subway car gives money to a musician or panhandler, others are more likely to.) I wonder how else the power of peer pressure can be brought to bear on weaning the masses off yellow cabs?
How's this for a pitch: "Hey, where are you guys going? How about taking a pedicab? Everybody's taking them."
Day of Chronicles: 5
Hours: 5:00-7:45pm
Rides Given: 5
Of the five rides I gave today, three originated with the passengers flagging me down. I'm beginning to believe that there really are such things as good nights and bad nights, busy nights and dead nights, i.e., that whether I do well does depend, at least in part, on factors other than my verve, wit, and gumption.
I was taking some serious trips to the bargain basement tonight - quoting prices as low as ten and twelve dollars (thank goodness I got some big tips). I suppose I do that in defense of being shut out, going home with nothing. I'd rather give a bunch of low-priced rides than wander around empty. At least when I'm providing transportation I'm getting stronger, learning the city, solving routing problems that could crop up again in the future. Right now, as well, I'm preparing for Halloween: By the time it comes, I want to be strong enough (both in mind and body) fully to take advantage of one of the few days out of the year when pedicabs are all the rage.
Speaking of something being all the rage: I was just reading in The Wall Street Journal that the best way to train people to adopt green behaviors is to convince them that everyone else has already adopted them. I do think it's true that a taxi-seeker watching a paying passenger emerge from a pedicab, after a satisfactory ride, is more likely to take that pedicab herself. (It's also true that once one passenger in a subway car gives money to a musician or panhandler, others are more likely to.) I wonder how else the power of peer pressure can be brought to bear on weaning the masses off yellow cabs?
How's this for a pitch: "Hey, where are you guys going? How about taking a pedicab? Everybody's taking them."
Saturday, October 16, 2010
The Failure of Positive Thinking
Date: 16 October 2010
Day of Chronicles:4
Hours: 4:30-6:30pm
Rides Given: 0
After tonight I feel like I never want to do this again. Two hours of rolling around Midtown, no takers, knowing if I just had a bit more gumption I'd be doing fine. The trouble is, when people say no up front - as they almost always do - I almost never argue. Unless I'm on a roll, feeling confident. Which usually doesn't happen till I've given a ride, and started building an endorphin high. I suppose it ought to be empowering to know I create my own reality, etc. - that if I persisted I could do quite well - but on nights like this it registers as a bummer. Yup, I'm riding around passengerless and yup, it's my own damn fault. Another line of work, anyone?
Day of Chronicles:4
Hours: 4:30-6:30pm
Rides Given: 0
After tonight I feel like I never want to do this again. Two hours of rolling around Midtown, no takers, knowing if I just had a bit more gumption I'd be doing fine. The trouble is, when people say no up front - as they almost always do - I almost never argue. Unless I'm on a roll, feeling confident. Which usually doesn't happen till I've given a ride, and started building an endorphin high. I suppose it ought to be empowering to know I create my own reality, etc. - that if I persisted I could do quite well - but on nights like this it registers as a bummer. Yup, I'm riding around passengerless and yup, it's my own damn fault. Another line of work, anyone?
Friday, October 15, 2010
Back in the High Seat Again
Date: 15 October 2010
Day of Chronicles: 3Hours: 4:30-6:00pm, 7:00-8:00pm
Rides Given: 2 (not counting the arranged ride in the middle of the night)
I've been away from New York for a week, visiting friends in Midcoast Maine, and away from pedicabbing for almost two weeks. Yes, upon returning to crowds and grime, after immersion in fresh air and open space, I wondered why I live here. I often wonder why I live here. There's not much space for food-growing, and what food I do grow is beleaguered by auto exhaust and heating oil ash. Humans, and human-made sounds (whose jagged waves, I read recently, are harsher on the ears than the rounded waves of nature) predominate. At work, a constant stream of vehicles screeches towards the Tunnel; at home, the Rock Rose building's monstrous HVAC system roars in the background.
And that is one of the reasons I decided, once again, to try pedicabbing: If you can't beat the deafening human presence, you might as well join it. If the thought of shoving your way through Times Square at rush hour gives you the willies, why not turn that crush to your advantage? The larger the crowd - the more overwhelming the crush - the better the chance that a pedicab driver will find a taxi seeker desperate enough to entertain a pedal-powered alternative.
Today was hard. I'd lost momentum. I had to rebuild my confidence in a practice that was seeming, as a result of a couple weeks' dissociation, thoroughly surreal. Luckily, I was able to partake in an arranged ride, so I was guaranteed to make something. In addition, I rustled up two other rides (one to The View, which I discovered was not a hotel, and the other to the gypsy-bus-to-New-Jersey side of the Port Authority). I'm chalking this evening up to easing back into things; tomorrow, I have reason to believe, I'll do better.
One question I'd like to remember, in hard times to come: What can I contribute? It's pretty easy to get caught up in feeling worthless, when the tenth person tells you she wants to go fast, or stay warm, or go far, and therefore needs a gas-guzzler. It's a bit harder - but far more rewarding - to focus on finding someone in search (consciously or not) of my services. Higher power, grant me the serenity to accept the people who insist on a gas-guzzler no matter what, the courage to persuade those who are open to pedal power, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Friday, October 1, 2010
The Little Underbidder Who Could
Date: 1 October 2010
Day of Chronicles: 2
Hours: 4:15-8:00pm
Rides Given: 5
After circling for an hour, I picked up two Catholic priests (from Mexico, currently stationed in Jerusalem, dressed in official black, with the white collar and everything) at Forty-Seventh and Sixth. How much to go to the Met, they asked. Twenty bucks, I said, just wanting to get in the game and not exactly sure (I'm ashamed to say) where the Met was.
A half hour later, when the priests exited, the larger one said, "We had no idea how far it was!"
That made three of us.
Now I know: Eighty-Second and Fifth. Two not-so-gentle hills. In the future, that will not be a twenty-dollar ride.
However: The upside of the ordeal is that I am now confident that I can haul two men, one hefty, the other slender, from Midtown to the Met.
Which came in handy later in the evening, when a dude at Thirty-Fourth and Sixth, headed with his date to a sake bar in Union Square, tried to put me off by saying, "You don't want to pedal that far!"
"Are you kidding?" I said, "I just took two guys up to the Met, a couple hours ago! Come on, live a little!"
They got in. When I dropped them off, they marveled at what great exercise it must be. "You don't even have to work out!"
Damn straight! And what doesn't defeat me makes me stronger.
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