Pedal Power Bike Taxi becomes fixture in Burlington

(NECN: Anya Huneke, Burlington, VT) – Need a taxi? Around Burlington, Vermont, you’ve got options. Along with traditional cabs, you’ll find green ones, ones that let you set your own fare, and ones that look something like this: Bicycle in the front, seats in the back, and all the fresh air you could ever want. James Simpson shuttles people around the city in his bike taxi. An avid biker since he was a kid, he realized he was missing out on a career opportunity- and did something about it last year. James “It’s definitely an addiction. Once you learn you can ride for a living- it’s one thing you never want to leave behind.” He says many people come to him through word-of-mouth. His company – Pedal Power Bike Taxi – has become most popular with the nighttime crowd– as people look for rides home from the bars, that involve, perhaps, a little star-gazing. James: “People are just interested in romancing their way home after a night dancing… some people are on the waterfront- and want to enjoy the sunset…” He says he receives many different requests- informal and formal. Another way Pedal Power makes money is through advertising. Companies can lease space on the cab month-to-month… and you’re pretty much guaranteed- people will be looking. Simpson gets his fair share of stares. James: “I get everyone who’s driving by in a car… on a cell phone… people take pictures.” And he welcomes them- since stares tend to beget more business. James “It’s averaging 20-40 people in a night, we carry.” The ride can be bumpy and is generally pretty slow, especially in Burlington’s hill section. Brian Gabert\Passenger “I don’t think people around here are in too big of a a rush in Vermont.” But this is certainly one of the greenest cabs around. James: “So if you estimate how much gas you’d use, you save a good thousand, two thousand dollars in gas.” Which is a nice reward- after all this work.