Detroit by rickshaw: A whole different perspective

We're seeing more and more bicycles on the streets of Detroit, but the sets of wheels that have been catching my eye lately are three-wheelers. They're pedicabs or rickshaws, and Mike Rosemond of Detroit is one of a handful of operators pedaling folks around town for modest fares with his Rickshaw Detroit.

Riding in Rosemond's pedicab is faster and more fun than walking. The higher perch gives a new perspective on your surroundings while the open cab gives a more intimate experience of the city. And you're going slowly enough to respond to the comments of surprised pedestrians along the way.

And then there's the delight of chatting with the hard-pedaling Rosemond. For all his 60 years, Rosemond is in remarkable shape and claims he plans to keep pedaling until he "falls over -- hopefully on the sidewalk."

The cab does have 18 gears that make pedaling easier regardless of the load, and thankfully, Detroit is pretty flat.

"Pedicabs are springing up all over the place," says Rosemond, rattling off a list of cities that have them, including New York, Chicago and Boston.

In fact, he was in San Francisco when he first saw one and thought, "This would be something wonderful to bring to Detroit."

When Rosemond decided Detroit needed a rickshaw service, he envisioned the business as a one-man operation.

But the day he went to a Detroit City Council meeting to present his business plan for approval he found himself sitting next to a guy named Terry Walker who surprised him by standing up and presenting a nearly identical plan. They got talking, found their viewpoints matched and decided to team up to create Rickshaw Detroit.

But that wasn't their last City Council meeting. Getting the business going was a lengthy process, since it was completely new to Detroit and officials needed to invent a licensing process from scratch.

Although Rickshaw Detroit has competitors, only Rosemond and Walker have driver's licenses issued by the Detroit Police Department specifically for rickshaw operators.

"Safety is key for us," says Rosemond.

Rickshaw Detroit houses one cab in the Midtown area, where Rosemond shuttles customers to museums, bars and galleries on weekend nights, and two downtown that ply the streets from Greektown to the Riverwalk.

Rickshaw driving is something Rosemond and Walker do in the evenings and on weekends. They even hire out for weddings and events outside the city. Rosemond is a receptionist at the Detroit Institute of Arts by day and Walker, 51, is a former Marine who is still active in the Army Reserve as a communications instructor. His civilian day job is as a Detroit Public Schools police officer.

Rosemond also spent 20 years as a social worker and 10 as a minister, which goes a long way toward explaining his laid-back attitude and philosophical musings.

"I always give my first and last ride free," he says. "It's a principle; you give, and you get back. You plant good seed, you get a good harvest."

Most of the time it's hard to get him to state a fare, as he prefers to rely on tips. He feels if he gives his customers a good experience they'll reward him.

"Another thing that's so beautiful about it is it brings people together," he says. "We've had people share a pedicab where one is from the suburbs and one is right here in Detroit."

The cabs hold three adults, but Rosemond's favorite passengers are families.

"For many people it's the first time they've seen one, even though we've been operating for a few years now. They'll look, they'll laugh, they'll smile, they'll wave. It's beautiful with the little kids because their eyes just get big.

"It looks semi-familiar to them, but it's like 'What's this old guy doing riding a tricycle like I have?' "

"We're really excited about how the pedicabs are catching on," says Walker, who was born and raised in Detroit. "We really enjoy changing people's perception of Detroit."

"A lot of couples leave here with a really enlightened view of the city," he says. "I had one couple I was driving when the fireworks started at Comerica Park. They got out and took pictures. They said the ride just made their vacation."

Contact Rickshaw Detroit at www.rickshawdetroit.net or call (866) 461-3163.