Leg-powered transports add new look to Columbia [The State, Columbia, S.C.]

Nov. 26--Columbians and visitors to the city soon will have a new kind of pedal-power way of navigating its entertainment districts.

A Savannah-based company plans to introduce next month a 15-passenger bicycle that can be rented for tours, parties or other outings centering around the Vista.

It will be joining the four, smaller "pedi-cabs" that, since April, have been ferrying riders interested in short-distance transportation that is more offbeat than a conventional taxicab.

A garnet-and-black, multi-passenger Capitol Crawler bike with a canopy is ready to be delivered within days, said Samantha Meier, who established Savannah Slow Ride in February and already has leased bicycles in 10 cities stretching from Portland, Ore., to Tybee Island, Ga.

Here is a snapshot of how the multi-rider bicycles will operate.

--Ten of the 15 passengers take on the task of providing the leg power as a driver steers. Tours make stops at the request of the group so that riders may eat, shop or drink during the two-hour trips. But no alcohol is allowed while riding, Meier said.

The cycle has music, or riders can plug in their own recorded tunes.

Since not every seat has pedals, some get to rest during the rides -- or riders may rotate which ones provide the power.

"If the driver had to pedal, nobody would pedal," Meier said with a chuckle.

--The price is $25 per person and riders must sign a waiver of liability, said Meier, whose sister, Erin Swanson, will oversee the Columbia operation. Any rider younger than 18 must have adult supervision and must be at least 5 feet tall.

"There's never been an insurance claim in six years," Meier said of the time period during which the devices have become popular nationwide.

Most customers are young professionals. But the cycles have carried some as old as 90, she said.

"We're not a cab," Meier said. "They can't call us and say, 'Meet us here.' ''

Anyone interested in booking a tour or party should call (803) 807-0224 or check Facebook or Twitter to learn more, Meier said.

--Initially, Capitol Crawler will focus on business in the Vista on weekends, but the company hopes to expand its hours and into Five Points, she said. That overlaps with Capital Pedicab, but the operations aren't in competition, said Pedicab owner Scott Fulmer.

Pedicabs work Thursdays through Saturdays in the Vista and Main Street, Fulmer said. "The driver is the motor and you sit back and ride (an average of four blocks)," he said of one of differences from the multi-passenger cycles that are coming to town. Pedicabs are akin to rickshaws, Fulmer said.

Pedicab riders pay $3 for up to a half-mile trip and $1 for each additional block, he said.

Fulmer wants to start offering lunchtime rides early next year.

Capital Pedicab may be reached at 271-0458 or by email at [email protected]

Capital Pedicab carried its first passengers in April, said owner Scott Fulmer.

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