Written By Debbie Bowman
Published: March 20, 2012
Published: March 20, 2012
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Home > Columns > Loud & Upfront in Columbus > GorlliaCab
GorillaCab: An interview with pedicab owner/operator Trenton Kite
I have been seeing pedicabs around Columbus for the last decade, but didn’t
experience one until earlier this year. Having taken the bus downtown I was trekking
through the heat up Vine Street heading to the LC Pavilion. It was a miserable walk
that day/ Thank goodness a pedicab pulled up and offered his services. Ahhh…
my miserable walk turned into a comfortable ride where I enjoyed the scenery and
cooled off. And it only cost me $7!
I reached out to my friend Trenton Kite, owner/operator of GorillaCab based in
Columbus, to ask some questions about this fun way to get around.
Deb: Can you give me some history on pedicabs?
Trent: The history of the pedicab dates back to early 1900s in China and
Southeast Asia. Here in Columbus there have been pedicabs since 1999.
Now there are around 25 pedicabs that operate in the city.
Deb: How did you get started in the pedicab business?
Trent: GorillaCab started on a cold day in late October, 2010. I became involved in
the world of pedicab the previous year working for an established company here in
Cbus. I decided to start my own pedicab company because I was tired of paying
rent every night to ride a pedicab. When the opportunity arose to purchase a used
Pedi cab I jumped on it and ever since I have been a pedicab company owner.
Deb: Do you ride all year, in all weather?
Trent: Yes, GorillaCab operates year round in all types of weather. In fact, just this
week I worked in the rain at an OSU men’s basketball game.
Deb: How much does a ride cost?
Trent: A ride is priced based on certain factors such as: how far, how many people
and what the terrain is like. Usually $5 to $40.
experience one until earlier this year. Having taken the bus downtown I was trekking
through the heat up Vine Street heading to the LC Pavilion. It was a miserable walk
that day/ Thank goodness a pedicab pulled up and offered his services. Ahhh…
my miserable walk turned into a comfortable ride where I enjoyed the scenery and
cooled off. And it only cost me $7!
I reached out to my friend Trenton Kite, owner/operator of GorillaCab based in
Columbus, to ask some questions about this fun way to get around.
Deb: Can you give me some history on pedicabs?
Trent: The history of the pedicab dates back to early 1900s in China and
Southeast Asia. Here in Columbus there have been pedicabs since 1999.
Now there are around 25 pedicabs that operate in the city.
Deb: How did you get started in the pedicab business?
Trent: GorillaCab started on a cold day in late October, 2010. I became involved in
the world of pedicab the previous year working for an established company here in
Cbus. I decided to start my own pedicab company because I was tired of paying
rent every night to ride a pedicab. When the opportunity arose to purchase a used
Pedi cab I jumped on it and ever since I have been a pedicab company owner.
Deb: Do you ride all year, in all weather?
Trent: Yes, GorillaCab operates year round in all types of weather. In fact, just this
week I worked in the rain at an OSU men’s basketball game.
Deb: How much does a ride cost?
Trent: A ride is priced based on certain factors such as: how far, how many people
and what the terrain is like. Usually $5 to $40.
| For The Fans, By The Fans. Look Beyond The Mainstream. |
Trenton Kite, owner of GorlliaCab, a Columbus-based pedicab. Photo Submitted
Deb: Isn’t it hard to pull passengers around?
Trent: It is hard to pedal around a 150lb three-wheeled bike, let alone loading it up with four people and then riding it. But you get used to it and when
the sense of having fun takes over it becomes less like work.
Deb: What makes you stick with it?
Trent: I stick with pedi-cabbing because it is fun and it is a good way to make some extra money.
Deb: What kind of things do you need to know to be an operator?
Trent: To be a pedicab operator you need a basic knowledge of bikes, how they work and how to do quick repairs. You also have to know bike laws.
You have to be friendly and have a good personality.
Deb: Why is a pedicab the best option when you need a ride?
Trent: I would say that pedicabs are a better option because they are 100 percent environmentally friendly. Pedicab drivers will spend their money that
you pay them locally. And it is way more fun than being in a stinky old taxi cab.
Deb: What are some frequently asked questions from your customers?
Trent:
Q: Is this a rickshaw? A: No, a rickshaw has someone running and pulling a cart. A pedicab is a bicycle powered taxi.
Q: Are you in college? A: No?
Q: Are we hard to pull? A: No. (white lie)
Q: Do you Pedi cab in the winter? A: Yes, I pedicab all year long.
Q: Can we call you to come pick us up later? A: Yes
Q: Can I touch your butt? A: Sure, that will be a $10 extra tip.
Q: Can I ride your pedicab while you sit in the back? A: No, my insurance will not cover an accident if a passenger is pedaling.
Deb: What is coming up for GorillaCab?
Trent: I will be adding a few new pedicabs to the fleet, gaining new advertisers as well as building a website.
A Pedi cab ride is a lot of fun as well as beneficial to our local economy. And we all know how parking downtown for local events can be. Park where
you want and call GorillaCab to take you from your car to your event. Or just for a fun or romantic ride around town. Call GorillaCab at (614) 622-3405.
You can find GorillaCab working hard in the streets of the Short North, Arena District, any major concert or sporting event, as well as in Pittsburgh,
Chicago, Indy, Louisville and Detroit.
You can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GorillaCab or reach them by email at gorillacab@rocketmail.com.
Hanging out downtown? Look for them on Fridays, Saturdays and any major concert or sporting event. Enjoy the ride!
Trent: It is hard to pedal around a 150lb three-wheeled bike, let alone loading it up with four people and then riding it. But you get used to it and when
the sense of having fun takes over it becomes less like work.
Deb: What makes you stick with it?
Trent: I stick with pedi-cabbing because it is fun and it is a good way to make some extra money.
Deb: What kind of things do you need to know to be an operator?
Trent: To be a pedicab operator you need a basic knowledge of bikes, how they work and how to do quick repairs. You also have to know bike laws.
You have to be friendly and have a good personality.
Deb: Why is a pedicab the best option when you need a ride?
Trent: I would say that pedicabs are a better option because they are 100 percent environmentally friendly. Pedicab drivers will spend their money that
you pay them locally. And it is way more fun than being in a stinky old taxi cab.
Deb: What are some frequently asked questions from your customers?
Trent:
Q: Is this a rickshaw? A: No, a rickshaw has someone running and pulling a cart. A pedicab is a bicycle powered taxi.
Q: Are you in college? A: No?
Q: Are we hard to pull? A: No. (white lie)
Q: Do you Pedi cab in the winter? A: Yes, I pedicab all year long.
Q: Can we call you to come pick us up later? A: Yes
Q: Can I touch your butt? A: Sure, that will be a $10 extra tip.
Q: Can I ride your pedicab while you sit in the back? A: No, my insurance will not cover an accident if a passenger is pedaling.
Deb: What is coming up for GorillaCab?
Trent: I will be adding a few new pedicabs to the fleet, gaining new advertisers as well as building a website.
A Pedi cab ride is a lot of fun as well as beneficial to our local economy. And we all know how parking downtown for local events can be. Park where
you want and call GorillaCab to take you from your car to your event. Or just for a fun or romantic ride around town. Call GorillaCab at (614) 622-3405.
You can find GorillaCab working hard in the streets of the Short North, Arena District, any major concert or sporting event, as well as in Pittsburgh,
Chicago, Indy, Louisville and Detroit.
You can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GorillaCab or reach them by email at gorillacab@rocketmail.com.
Hanging out downtown? Look for them on Fridays, Saturdays and any major concert or sporting event. Enjoy the ride!
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