Rickshaws in Manchester

It was just fantastic to see a rickshaw being ridden in Manchester last Wednesday.



The rider stopped for a chat. He'd been brought in for an event. He has ridden rickshaws all over the country and we got to discussing the differences in attitudes towards cycling and rickshaws between Manchester and Bristol. Needless to say he was far less pleased about conditions for cycling Manchester in Manchester than Bristol.



Sadly Manchester City Council has continually refused to license pedicabs or rickshaws to operate as taxis or private hire in Manchester in contrast to other cities. This is to the detrement of the city's environment which is degraded by the air pollution and danger from the excessive number of taxis and private hire vehicles in operation.

The rickshaws were operating a complementary service for the CHI Housing event that was being held at Manchester Central.

Don't forget the event Rickshaws are out the front for tours #CIHhousing15 pic.twitter.com/hyUVwOlX0z

— CIH Housing 2015 (@CIH_Housing2015) June 23, 2015

Staff and customers at @citywesthousing and @villageshousing enjoying our rickshaws at @CIH_Housing2015! pic.twitter.com/xDh8PNCKg2

— ForViva (@forviva_group) June 25, 2015

Rickshaw spotted in Manchester

Last weekend I spotted a cycle rickshaw in Manchester.



This one was in Hulme, outside the Garden Centre. It was part of the Hulme is where the art is festival.



This rickshaw is not a native of Manchester, but had been brought all the way from Blackpool for the event.



Sadly Manchester City Council do not allow rickshaws to operate in Manchester for hire so they are a very rare sight in the city. This is one of the reasons why the city centre is clogged up with taxis and private hire cars.