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Summer in the City: Highland Park.  Photograph by Brian Cohen
Summer in the City: Highland Park. Photograph by Brian Cohen

Innovation

Green Gears Pedicabs brings pedal power to Pittsburgh, hiring drivers

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A new earth-friendly form of transportation is hitting the streets of Pittsburgh, with the launch of Green Gears Pedicab Co.

Pedicabs are totally human-powered, with a driver on a bicycle pulling a cart that can hold one or two passengers. In many cities pedicabs are a popular way to visit historic sites and other tourist destinations. Paul Kletter, co-founder of Green Gears, believes that while they’re a great way to see the sites of Pittsburgh, they could become a part of everyday commuting. 

“It’s a great way to shoot off the trolley or across the bridge to the North Side to get to work,” says Kletter. “We’re trying to go beyond just the novelty aspect.”

Kletter and Green Gears co-founder Mary Beth Karabinos also work on mobile marketing campaigns for GMR Marketing and see Green Gears as a potential platform for local businesses and advertisers to get their messages across. The pedicabs can be branded or fitted with either cargo containers or five-foot long signs, similar to the mobile billboards often pulled by diesel trucks, but without the pollution. The young company has already partnered with Nakturnal, a Pittsburgh based guerrilla marketing company, for future campaigns.

Green Gears is currently hiring drivers, who will work mainly as independent contractors downtown as well as at events throughout the city. The company debuted its pedicabs at the St. Patrick’s Day parade and will be providing rides at the upcoming Lawrenceville Blossom Tour.

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Writer: Rob Cullen
Source: Paul Kletter, Green Gears Pedicabs Co.

Image courtesy Green Gears Pedicabs Co.