Former Mayor and His Daughter Open Downtown Ludington Pedicab Busine$$

[XLFD]

A new pedicab business is being started by former Ludington Mayor John Henderson and his daughter Brandy Henderson, continuing with their family collaborations, but this time in the private sector.  In the article from the Mason County Press, it is unclear whether the Mayor or his daughter will be participating as pedicabbies, but at the ultra cheap rate of $2 plus $1 a block, how can you pass this up?

Easy; just keep walking for free.  The picture below shows them riding this pedicab in a place where the sidewalk markings and signs say regular bicycling is prohibited. 

LUDINGTON — There is a new cab company in Ludington, but this one doesn’t use any gas. Recently, the Sunset Spokes Pedicab Company opened up, providing service in and around downtown Ludington. The company was started by Brandy Henderson and her father, John Henderson (below), along with business partner Derek Kowatch.

The pedicab is similar to a rickshaw, operated by a bicycle pulling a cart. The carts can hold up to three people.

“What we wanted to do was provide service close to the parks,” Brandy said. “It’s a fun and creative way to get people from one place to another. We know sometimes parking isn’t always great at places like the beach. This is a great alternative.”

The cab service will operate everyday beginning the middle of June until Labor Day weekend. After that, Brandy said they will probably go down to weekends until the weather cools off.

Service will be available from 4 to 11 p.m. during the week and later on weekends.

“This is a unique experience for people to get to their destination but also to see the attractions Ludington has to offer.”

Brandy (left)  is the executive director of the Ludington Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. John is former mayor of Ludington and works in human resources at OxyChem while Derek owns Shadetree Mechanic.

Rates are fairly inexpensive. There is a $2 base fee and then $1 a block. Cabs can be called at 231-233-8848. “Give us a few minutes though,” Brandy said. “Sometimes the drivers will have to come from the other side of town.”

At this time they have two pedicabs and will have four to six different drivers.

Brandy said the pedicabs will also be available for hire for special events and for special tours.

“So far it’s been really popular,” Brandy said. “We’ve only been operating on Friday and Saturday nights but we’ve been transporting people around town, mainly downtown. We are excited about this and think it will be a fun way to get around.”

http://www.masoncountypress.com/2014/06/06/pedicab-company-offers-u...

[AQUAMAN]

Don't rickshaw's have a top to protect you from sun and rain? Yup, what a brainstorm this idea is indeed, lol. If the two Henderson's themselves were pedaling these around I might go, just to see them pant and lose some lard. Otherwise, I'll bike, walk, or take the inexpensive van/taxi's now for $3 if need be. Even a horse drawn carriage would be more of interest to me. 

[XLFD]

I'd pay $10 to see if the ex-mayor or his charming daughter had what it takes to go eight blocks on a hot August day going across the Washington Bridge and coming back on Madison.  Unless they've already partaken of one of our local restaurant's Mexican buffet earlier in the day.

[Willy]

On the surface this may seem like a good idea however these "bikes" are required to share the roadway with crazy tourist drivers and I for one would not put my life on the line.  I think these "bikes" will become a traffic hazard in the busiest parts of town. Another question is, will they be allowed to go where normal bikes are not allowed? Frankly I hope it works out for the Hendersons but they should not be given any special treatment from local officials to operate this business so let's see how the good ol boy network acts when one of their own is involved with regulations other people must follow.

[XLFD]

Keep your cameras handy guys, because when Chief Barnett came into town he passed strict bicycle laws (read some of them here) which made bicycle riding in the downtown area problematic.  Especially

Sec. 58-156 Dismounting required:  "Wherever the riding of a bicycle on any street or sidewalk would reasonably be expected to create a condition interfering with the safety of the rider, and pedestrian or any other vehicle, then the operator of such bicycle shall dismount and walk through such district or area."

Sec. 58-157 Riding on Sidewalks:  "...bicycles may be operated in public parks and on sidewalks, but in single file only. Under all circumstances, the rider shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian. When approaching a pedestrian on a sidewalk, the speed of the bicycle shall be reduced to that which is no greater than necessary to permit continuance of the bicycle's operation without the rider's dismounting, and shall not be increased until the pedestrian has been passed. No bicycle shall be operated upon the sidewalk in the following portions of the city:

(1)  Ludington Avenue right-of-way from Harrison Street on the East to William Street on the West.

(2)  James Street right-of-way from Court Street on the North to Dowland Street on the South."

 

Also, now that the new outdoor public dining/public display ordinances are in effect, the sidewalks are 5 ft. or narrower downtown, and try to navigate a regular bike in front of the Blu Moon.  This is a typical Henderson idea, I'm just glad public money is not being wasted-- unless he's getting some on the side from the DDA for providing this business.

[XLFD]

Alison, after having served for 8 years on the LFD as a firefighter I also had a talk with Chief Barnett in November 2008.  You see, I was pedaling at 21 mph up on Sixth Street with a lot of parked cars on both sides near Lincoln Street where its a no passing zone when a police car passed me (and I'm reasonably sure it was the Chief driving the car) going over 40 mph (he covered two blocks to my one afterwards when I was traveling at 23 mph). 

In my talk with him afterwards, he assured me the 15 mph over the limit speeding cop car (non-code) passing me through a no-passing-zone in a school safety zone while I was going near the speed limit had done absolutely nothing wrong.  That the only person who did anything wrong was me that day, for obstructing traffic by not traveling 25 mph, and that I was lucky that he did not write me a ticket.  Chief Barnett does not enforce the law, he enforces his control, and I can assure you that if I had started this pedicab business, I would have been harassed out of town by now.  

[XLFD]

You activated the story, Alison, by presuming that the chief was an expert on safety issues regarding bicycles and traffic, and bringing the non-sequitur of any fireman being an expert on knowing traffic safety issues.  I was traveling within the law that day and safely, the police weren't.

If you feel the chief's concepts on traffic safety were correct just because of his position or you have some regard for him, or counter-regard for me because of my position, then that speaks volumes about you. 

Also 2014 - 2008 = 6 years-- less than 6 years since it happened in November.  Be cool, stay in school, kids.

[XLFD]

The pedicab itself cost between $2800 and $4000 for similar models, so I'd be interested in seeing the original purchase slips of these conveyances, with the questionable uses of the public money that Mayor Henderson okayed during his tenure as mayor and DDA chair (he still serves on the DDA), and the questionable uses of Brandy's Convention and Visitor Bureau's room taxes for marketing our area. 

[AQUAMAN]

I got my first view of one last nite, it was blue, and lit up with blue bulbs. No passengers on that one. It was on Lud. Ave. going west in the left turn lane to turn onto S. James. Luckily, no traffic around. I don't think it's a very swift idea for any main streets with the traffic conditions here in summer. I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't funded with grants though, as Henderson still wears the same sneakers for parades for 10 years now. 

[XLFD]

Excellent question to ask; it's inherently unsafe riding through the downtown with an oversized bike likely traveling at or under 10 mph.  These are the same guys being proponents of road diets and curb bump outs, which will make it not only more unsafe, but more hindersome to traffic. 

[XLFD]

To each his/her own.  Since you do not know me very well, Alison, I have averaged well over 5000 miles for each of the last twelve years on my bicycle.  According to state law, this 'pedicab' is a bicycle (MCL 257.4 ) but a fairly slow one, and you get no physical benefit from being a passenger on it.  You get to ride on the slow boat for your block or so and pay your few bucks, inconveniencing pedestrians and cars a lot more than I ever could with my sleek bicycle.

You don't feel the rush of air on your face, the exhilaration of propelling yourself from point A to point B at up to 25 mph, the toned muscles and sense of accomplishment.  Instead you get to sit on your duff and watch your paid servant pedal you around at 8 mph, while cars back up behind you, or pedestrians clear the sidewalk if you ride on the sidewalks illegally, like the above picture shows. 

Oh, to be you and feel such elitist glee at such simple joys of life.

[XLFD]

Quit inferring that the Hendersons are fat by using the word "beef" in the same sentence, Alison.  They are not stupid either, I will grant you that.

[XLFD]

Check the top photo, you will see lights and the bottom photo shows the wires leading from the handlebar.  The model I found which resembled the Sunset Spokes Pedicab had signal lights, so I presume the ones in use in Ludington have them.  By law, they aren't needed, but the driver then has to use hand signals.