Pedicabbers pedal Pittsburgh patrons

In his many months operating a pedicab, Levi Pettler has pulled a wide range of clients, ranging… In his many months operating a pedicab, Levi Pettler has pulled a wide range of clients, ranging from overseas tourists seeking adventure to drunken college students having already found it.

One such inebriated couple even went so far as to attempt a carnal tryst beneath the cover of blankets as Pettler dutifully pedaled along.

“I told them what they did back there was their business, but it was really bizarre because he was asking questions and talking to me the whole time while it was happening,” the senior English literature major said.

Pettler said that after the laborious trip on the pedicab, “They didn’t tip very well.”

The job of a pedaler has become more popular around Pittsburgh after Paul Kletter started his pedicab business Green Gears — a leasing company that provides year-round environmentally-friendly transportation, tours around the city and advertising banners on the sides of the pedicabs. At Pittsburgh sporting events or on any given weekend in the South Side, people can witness the bizarre spectacle of pedicabs, which are becoming a more and more prevalent form of emissions-free travel.

Consisting of a rickshaw pulled by a single tenacious bicyclist, the pedicab emerged in Pittsburgh when Kletter started Green Gears in 2009. Kletter partnered up with high school friend Eddie DeCarlo to provide Pittsburgh with a creative alternative to hailing a taxi cab.

The result was Green Gears, and since its inception, the cabs have been used at countless public events throughout Pittsburgh, from Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Arts Festival and Light Up Night to Pitt football games and Pittsburgh Pirates games.

With seven active cabs and more being ordered, Green Gears’ pedicabs are what Kletter called an “enjoyable form of transportation.” As many as three passengers can ride at once, and each trip costs $5 to $20, depending on the distance.

Kletter said that the pedicabs are excellent not only because of their emissions-free operation and accessibility at public events, but also because of how riveting the experience is for passengers exploring Pittsburgh.

“They get excited,” Kletter said. “You get that Princess Diana wave down and just feel on top of the world.”

One man went as far as to rent a cab for the whole day. Dan Drischler, a 48-year-old mechanic for Port Authority, decided to make his wife’s birthday extra special with the gas-free surprise.

On Oct. 15, Drischler and his wife were participating in a bar crawl arranged by the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 23, an Irish Catholic organization, which happened to fall on his wife’s birthday.

To commute to the 10 bars throughout Lawrenceville, Drischler got in contact with a Green Gears pedicab cyclist through a Craigslist post.

Donna Ricca, Drischler’s wife, turning 55, couldn’t have been more thrilled that she would be pedaled across Lawrenceville, though bar crawls are typically walked.

Ricca said that she enjoyed the day thoroughly, although she didn’t recall events toward the latter half of the crawl, after the fifth bar.

“I think I was well-behaved,” Ricca said. “And [the driver] was fabulous — very friendly and a lot cuter than a horse,” she said, referring to Pettler, who happened to be the driver that night.

Though the ride through Lawrenceville was over relatively flat terrain, there was one particularly daunting hill on 46th Street to Kelly’s Korner.

“We walked up that one,” Drischler said, laughing. He is a towering 6-foot-4 and weighs more than 300 pounds. “We decided to cut [the driver] a break.”

Such is the life of the average pedicab driver, who must pull the 120-pound rickshaw plus the weight of up to three passengers, a potential 600 additional pounds. Needless to say, the grueling labor is not for the faint of heart.

In spite of the physical strain, Pettler considers his job ideal for a college student.

“It’s hard work with a lot of exercise,” Pettler said. “You definitely earn the money you make; it pays well. Also, it’s very important how [pedicabs] provide a green alternative.”

For those students seeking a new job sure to bulk up the calf muscles, Green Gears will be holding an open house in February to recruit new prospective cyclists; more information on the event will be posted on the company’s website at GreenGearsPedicabs.com.

But whether you pedal or get pedaled, Kletter believes the pedicab is a glimpse toward the city’s future.

“My goal has always been to provide cleaner ways to travel,” he said. “The stage has been set for something special.”

People interested in riding can flag a passing cab near sports events and along 18th and 17th Street in South Side, or simply call the ride line at 412-343-PEDI.