Pedicab drivers geared up for busy weekend

NEWBURYPORT — Will Pasquina has carried locals and tourists across the city in his pedicab for a bag of candy, four raspberries, a piece of gum and a handful of pennies. His colleague, who likes to be called "B," recently drove a woman across the city and was paid with a container of blueberries.

"The blueberries were a nice treat," B said. "We like to plant the seed within the community, and even if we are giving free rides, we are keeping the buzz out there."

The cyclists at Newburyport Pedicab are busy this weekend as Yankee Homecoming heats up and more tourists and locals hop on board one of their four pedicabs for a free ride to wherever they need to be.

The cyclists who pull the pedicabs rely on tips to get by, and with a percentage of tips going toward cancer research, there is no better way to see the city this weekend.

An added bonus of the green, charitable mode of transportation? The pedicab drivers are just as interesting as the sites you will pass.

"It's good to keep morale up and not look at it like you are getting stiffed if people don't tip," co-owner Blake Harris, 18, of Amesbury said. "We really believe you roll with it and it comes back to you in the end."

Now a year old, Newburyport Pedicab is experiencing success with cyclists making on average $750 a week and the donations toward charity rising rapidly.

"We have experienced huge growth," Harris said. "Even last year we used to have cyclists come in whenever they wanted and take the pedicabs out. Now we have a regimented schedule of shifts."

Employing 20 drivers, they rotate between shifts on the pedicabs that operate from 10 a.m. until 1 a.m. and sometimes later.

Pasquina, a recent graduate of Northeastern University with a psychology degree, quit his job in home health care to pedicab full time.

"I love it," Pasquina said noting he is able to make a living doing the pedicab alone. "I said last night, I can't believe I get paid to do this. I have so much fun learning about the interesting people who ride with me."

"I was playing guitar and singing on the street from here to Portsmouth," B said. "I was burnt out by the whole performing arts scene."

B's break from performing actually helped him regain his passion for music as he has already booked a regular gig at The Rockfish each Sunday night, a connection he made by driving one of the Rockfish's employees one night.

As an added bonus, the talented B will stop the pedicab on the waterfront and play one of his favorite Elvis songs for lucky riders.

The booming business started by Harris and Kevin Murphy, 40, of Newburyport was born of a friendship forged more than a decade ago when the two met as part of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. Harris and Murphy say their new venture hasn't slowed down since. Created to raise money for the Pan-Mass Challenge, the two say their nonprofit business attracts more than 200 riders on busy Saturdays. Drivers earn as much as $60 for a ride.

"Most people are pretty generous when they know a lot of it is going toward cancer research," Pasquina said.

Pasquina and B estimate during Yankee Homecoming they will be riding up to 30 miles a day.

While the cyclists don't let on the challenges of their job, staying focused on the positive aspects, they do admit that in the beginning they woke up sore and tired.

"The hardest part is getting it started, but if you have enough people it goes with the momentum," B said.

B has lost 10 pounds in two months but says he has gained strength as well as an understanding of wholesome nutrition.

While Pasquina and B are just two of the drivers who will be on the roads this weekend, Harris notes each have their own trademark. Pasquina likes to wear crazy hats to identify himself, and B always carries his guitar. Murphy rides with his pet yellow Labrador in the back of the pedicab.

"We have such positive response from people," Harris said. "Drivers pick up lost tourists stranded on the side of the road with their luggage, kids with no money, people exiting the bar who shouldn't be driving. This is something good."

Newburyport Pedicab has partnered with Anna Jaques Hospital to offer "Pedicab Races" at the Bartlet Mall this weekend.

How: Grab a group of friends and hop on the pedicab or challenge a friend to a race to be crowned "King of the Pedicabs"

Photos

Pedicab driver Will Pasquina gives Colleen Considine of Newburyport and her daughter, Clare, 9, a ride around downtown Newburyport on Thursday. Staff photo