Going for a ride: South Shore Pedicabs is both eco-friendly and entertaining
Looking for a wheely good time? Take a ride on South Shore Pedicabs.
How it started: Frequent travelers and Sandusky natives, Kim and Jeff Gill, saw pedicabs anywhere they visited with an entertainment district. With the boom happening downtown, the two asked “why not Sandusky” and then South Shore Pedicabs, LLC was born. Wanting to bring a cool and unique business to the town they love, they thought a pedicab would be a way to add to the growth of the downtown area.
“We are proud of where we come from and want to help keep it the wonderful place it is,” Kim Gill says. “We are both from Sandusky and our families go back several generations.”
All About Pedicabs: According to the FAQs on the South Shore Pedicabs website, pedicabs, also known as bicycle rickshaws, were developed in Japan around 1870. Originally hand-pulled, the cabs have come a long way. Gill tells The Helm that each cab can carry two people comfortably, but three can always squeeze in. The cost will run you $3/block. So, if you find yourself downtown from May 7th through Labor Day, there are so many ways to catch a cab! The cabs service between Meigs, Monroe and Shelby streets to the water. Gill says the bikes are geared to transport people, so they are not difficult to pedal, but they did get an electric assist version for the Columbus Avenue hill!
Loving Pedicabs: Gill says she can describe their business in one word: FUN.
“This is the most fun thing I have ever done,” she says. “Jeff and I are both very social people and love to talk and get to know new people.”
As the downtown business area has been revitalized, the support local business owners give to one another has been astounding, Kim says.
“All of the businesses down there have asked us ‘what can we do to help you?’”
She notes that as downtown continues to boom, the environment is nothing but positive. So, it’s no surprise that South Shore Pedicabs offers an advertising opportunity on the side of the cabs for area businesses. Advertising information is available on the South Shore site or via email.
How to Ride: There are several ways to hail a ride in the pedicabs. You can call the Gills at 419-357-4522 or book via the South Shore website. Additionally, they have added stickers with a QR code in many downtown business windows. A quick scan of the QR code, and you can contact the couple for a ride right at the location of the scan. They will also be driving around, so they also can be flagged down for a ride, Gill says.
Hours:
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday-Thursday: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday: 3 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
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