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Madison
Trolley adds pedicab
to its fleet of transportation
The
two-seater will begin operating in May
By
Amy Casebier
Contributing Writer
(May 2008) – A new form of transportation
is coming to Madison, Ind.: the pedicab.
The owners of Madison Trolley have purchased a pedicab that
will begin operating May 1 when the steamboat the Delta Queen
visits the town.
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Photo
provided
Rick
Lostutter and his daughters,
(from left) Claire and Emma, show off
the new pedicab that will begin
operating in Madison in May.
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Before the pedicab starts accepting passengers,
there is still much to be done. The pedicab itself will receive
a design job similar to the trolleys, with pinstripes and
logos. Some of the decorations will be reflective for safety
during evening rides. Rick and Ann Lostutter, two of the owners
of Madison Trolley, are also doing their part to prepare.
“We’ve been riding it around for the past weeks
getting ‘in shape’ for the climbs up to Main Street
from the river,” Rick Lostutter said.
For now, Lostutter will be the sole guide for the pedicab
due to insurance costs.
Lostutter, a cyclist for 22 years, first had the idea for
bringing a pedicab service into Madison when Madison Trolley
kept receiving requests for couples’ tours during the
week.
“The cost of gasoline has made it prohibitive for us
to pull the large trolleys out for a couple of passengers,”
he said.
Lostutter decided to try a smaller form of transportation
to suit the needs of fewer passengers.
“Pedicabs came over from Indonesia and the Philippines
in the 1950s,” Lostutter said.
He purchased a pedicab in Orlando from the family responsible
for first bringing the pedicab to the United States.
The cost of the pedicab “was far less than a new trolley
and slightly more than a good bicycle,” Lostutter said.
Unlike the traditional pedicabs where passengers sit up front
and the guide pedals from the back, the pedicab that Lostutter
bought has a 21-speed bicycle that hauls the customer behind
it. This model is much more stable than the older, front-loading
type. The pedicab also includes a bell, a microphone and speaker
system so customers can hear the guide’s stories and
a canopy for the comfort of the passengers. “The function
is more for shade than rain,” Lostutter said.
The pedicab season is slated for May 1 through Oct. 31, similar
to the trolley schedule. However, poor weather will affect
the ability to use the pedicab.
Madison Trolley is currently designing several options for
rides and tours. For an hour-long historical tour, it would
cost one passenger $25 and two passengers $40. The company
is also considering a trip up Telegraph Hill for $250 for
anyone interested.
Other options include plans for shuttling shoppers and diners
on Main Street during weekends for a one-time fee of $5, which
will include being able to get on and off again.
The shopping shuttle will run down Main Street from St. Michael’s
to Cragmont Street. Lostutter is also planning evening lantern
tours through the downtown Madison area and along the Ohio
River. Tours for anniversaries or birthdays could also be
available and include a free gift. There will also be opportunities
for wedding packages.
“Our hope is that the pedicab will offer a new option
for something entertaining for residents and visitors to do
in the beautiful historic district of downtown Madison,”
Lostutter said. “It will also allow us to provide a more
personal option for couples and individuals who are open to
new experiences.”
At this point, Madison Trolley is going to experiment with
the success of one pedicab. More will be purchased if interest
is strong enough.
There are other perks for the new pedicab in addition to adding
a different experience to town.
“Our country is now experiencing gas prices above the
$3.50 mark,” Lostutter said. “We are excited about
offering a green transportation and entertainment alternative
that runs on food, water and good, old-fashioned muscle power.”
• For more information, visit:
www.madisontrolley.com.
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