Building a Better Pedicab

Building a Better Pedicab Building a Better Pedicab Building a Better PedicabA growing but competitive pedicab business across the U.S. spurred one operator to address design issues with the limited model options available by commissioning a design of its own.The operator, Coaster Pedicab, faced increasingly troublesome problems with purchased models including frequent breakdowns, difficult maintenance procedures, expensive or lack of spare parts, and inattention to customer comfort. When the three-wheelers arent on the streets, bike operators lose revenue, and drivers lose income. The way the pedicab business typically works is that operators purchase a fleet of pedicabs, and self-employed drivers rent a pedicab from the operators, often on a daily basis, and keep what they make as income.In the ten years since Coaster Pedicab started in Boston, MA, it has grown to become one of the nations largest pedicab operators, with locations in nine cities from the East Coast to San Francisco . A little over two years ago, Coasters owners approached Wisconsin-based Design Concepts with a wish list compiled by its mechanics, marketing team, and frequent drivers.At the top of the list welches the wish for a vehicle with an affordable price, tough enough to reliably carry several hundred pounds many miles every day, one that would not require frequent maintenance and expensive spare parts. Other wishes were for a better experience for both drivers and riders, a design that captures attention on the streets and a visible, easy-to-use space for advertising.Inside the Coaster Pedicab shop. namen Coaster PedicabThe result is a stylish bike, called The Coaster, which has sturdier gearing and braking systems, better lighting for drivers visibility and more comfortable seating that protects passengers from the elements while still allowing an unobstructed view of surroundings. Coaster now sells the pedicabs as well as rents to drivers. The price ranges from $4,500 to $5,250 depend ing on which of three models is selected. The jury on performance is still out since The Coaster just made its debut on February 23. But Ben Morris, founder and Coaster chief pedicab officer, says, The feedback from our design and features has been tremendous.I think this is just the beginning of something that is going to blow up.Chris Strahm, Design Concepts mechanical engineer and project manager, says improved accessibility to components and easier maintenance for faster turnaround time were key. Routine maintenance on the existing bike that takes place every few weeks required that the whole fiberglass cab be taken off the chassis to access the axle. The new bike can be put on end and the axle dropped out of the bottom without any disassembly of any other parts. That one design change turned a two-hour job for two people into a one-person job taking minutes, he says.Upending the bike wasnt as unusual as it might seem since the vehicles are usually stored on the back end to save space, but that often caused damage because the bikes didnt have any dedicated features to rest on in that position. That meant the 200-pound bike was leaning on two lights built into a fiberglass frame.That was pretty simple, low-hanging fruit, says Strahm. It was understanding the way they were going to use the bike in all different avenues, not just riding it.Another important design change was replacing the 100-pound fiberglass cab with a 40-pound bent tube structure outfitted with removable plastic panels. If the fiberglass cracked or was damaged, the whole cab had to be removed for repair, and the fasteners were not easily accessible. In the new design, not only are the fastening points more accessible, again eliminating one of two people to do the job, the removable plastic panels can be replaced more cost effectively. If something catastrophic happens to the panels, they can be replaced individually. With fiberglass, the whole cab had to be replaced.Other steps included imp roving the structure in the mid-drive hub because the steel bracketry did not hold the hub in place well and re-thinking another poor connection between the main cab exoskeleton and the rolling chassis. There were also shorts and other issues with the electrical system that powered the lights so a dedicated waterproof, lockable electrical hub was designed, and nice-to-have upgrades added, such as a USB charging port for passengers and CD player capability. One optional design detail that Strahm calls pretty amazing is a rigid canopy that slides up and down and blocks the sun or rain. The earlier bike had a complex articulating metal structure with a heavy canvas rain flap with 80 snaps required to attach it. Drivers had to decide prior to leaving the shop whether to use it for the day, an unnecessary encumbrance if not needed. The new design has a simple, lightweight canopy that can be installed in two minutes, hung up on a nail to dry quickly, and folded into a small square to be stored under the seat, ready whenever needed. Nancy S. Giges is an independent writer. For Further DiscussionIt was understanding the way they were going to use the bike in all different avenues, not just riding it.Chris Strahm, Design Concepts

How to actually move on (from anything)

How to actually move on (from anything)How to actually move on (from anything)In order to move forward, you have to move on. And in order to move on, you have to let go. You can only get so far with your leash still on. The heart leash, the invisible cord that wraps your feelings, thoughts, and energy around whatever or whomever youre trying to move beyond.Most people will tell you to just let it go. Let it go. Let it go. Sure, OK, Ill let it go. But when its something that took up so much of your heart space and energy, letting it go isnt as easy as snapping your fingers and hopping along. If it was, we wouldnt have heartache, we wouldnt have nostalgia, we wouldnt have regret, we wouldnt have frustration.Moving on does require letting goBut letting go requires something, too. It requires acceptance, which is captured beautifully in this poem. True and utter acceptance. Of the situation. Of reality. Of your future. Of the facts. Of your own feelings. Accept and then let go. Let go an d then move on.It doesnt matter what youre trying to move beyond a heartbreak, a friendship, a family ordeal, a work situation, a city, a hurt, a dream, a futureyou name it and sometimes we need to release it in order to live a more full life.And acceptance can be hardReally hard. Because its not what we fantasized. Its not what we hoped for. Its not how we saw our life going. But what you have the potential to dream for yourself and for the universe to put in front of you is a wildly wonderful spread that will always be in your favor. Theres magic in store, provided you dont live in the past or operate chained to all the bullshit keeping you from flying. And thats what happens when you dont accept, when you dont let go, when you dont move on. Youre keeping your wing pinned to the ground when youre meant to rise.Moving on can be painful, because it means finally and fully accepting the way life is actually showing up, rather than how you had planned on it showing up. But its a beaut iful step forward that will also carry you up. Up toward who youre supposed to become. Up toward a life that has the magic youre supposed to be living with.Youll find a deep sense of power in choosing to look the truth of your life in the eyeAcknowledge and accept all that has happened. Acknowledge and accept all that youre feeling. All thats gone on. All thats been. And all thats here, right now. That acceptance is the root of letting go. And that letting go is the path to moving on. It wont be all at once. But once it happens, itll feel like everything.This article was originally posted on MaxieMcCoy.com.

Benefits of Belonging to the Local Chamber of Commerce

Benefits of Belonging to the Local Chamber of Commerce Benefits of Belonging to the Local Chamber of Commerce The local Chamber of Commerce is a frequently overlooked resource for salespeople. Chambers of Commerce exist to help local businesses prosper, and for a modest annual fee, theyll do everything in their power to help you sell. Its usually possible to attend Chamber events and so on without becoming a member, but the benefits of membership are so great that its well worth the fee to go ahead and sign up. Chamber Directory Member benefits vary from Chamber to Chamber, but one particularly common and valuable resource is the Chamber directory. All Chamber members are listed in an annually updated directory thats provided to both members and non-members for free. The benefits here are twofold. First, your listing in the directory means that other Chamber members who need your type of product are likely to reach out to you before trying non-member businesses in your industry. That means that you can hope for some good windfall prospects to come your way just from having your name in the directory. And second, that directory is a wonderful source of leads. At a minimum, the directory provides each members contact information and industry. Some directories also provide details such as their company size and how long theyve been in business. The directory is essentially a perfect, free lead list for you with a built-in opener you can approach these leads with the information that, like them, you are a member of the local Chamber. Networking Opportunities Chamber events are also terrific networking opportunities. The Chamber of Commerce will usually have regularly scheduled “mixers” in which members can meet and greet each other. You can make the most of these opportunities by volunteering to speak at such a mixer. Most Chamber members are local small business owners who are likely interested in learning more about sales techniques. Who better than you to teach them? If you enjoy writing, you can also volunteer to contribute articles to the Chamber newsletter. Many Chambers of Commerce also participate in outside events, such as local charities and business-related city events â€" these are particularly useful for B2C salespeople. The Chamber newsletter will mention upcoming events, which makes it easy for you to decide which ones to attend. Before you join the Chamber, ask your sales manager if you can offer a discount or other special deal for Chamber members. You may be able to advertise this promotion in the Chamber directory or newsletter; if not, at least write up a flyer and distribute it at those mixers. You can also set aside the occasional day to call on members in person and see if you can kick-start some sales. Its likely that salespeople from other companies will also join the Chamber of Commerce. If you can track down a few other salespeople from non-competing businesses, you have the start of a great referral group. You and the other salespeople can exchange leads and help each other out. And Chamber events allow you to keep an eye on those salespeople who are direct competitors! Find Your Chamber of Commerce Finding your local Chamber of Commerce shouldnt be difficult, and salespeople in a big city may have several Chambers in the area. In that case, try dropping by a mixer or two and take a look at their directories to see which one would be the best fit for you.