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The Denton Pedicab has rapidlyemerged as a highly visible collective in town.

Even though there have only been three pedicabs - read:tricycle taxis -
operating beginning 2 weeks ago, people of allages have spotted the
bright yellow & green "turtles"circulating in the greater down town
area.

Denton loves the pedicabs!

On January 28th, the owner of Main St. Pedicabscontacted Laurent Provoust,
President of Denton Pedicabs by telephone. He saidthat after 10 years
operating his business makingpedicabs, finally a
community "gets it". He pledged adonation of SEVEN free pedicabs in a
shower of support.

Numbers as of January 29, 02010 :

• 1 visionary: Laurent "LoLo" Provoust (Tatoo Artist, Rasta/Dub music enthusiast, friendly, supportive, sees the bigger picture*)
• 3 Pedicabs from Main St. Pedicabs http://www.pedicab.com
• 50+ trained drivers (training is fun, takes about an hour, up to 15 trainees at a time in a nearby parking lot)

Denton also has a growing cycling community that is encouraged by the Querencia Community Bike Shop. Querencia is a local non-profit that provides the tools and resources that cyclists need to repair their own bicycle.
http://qcbs.org

With a common vision of bicycle friendlinessDenton Pedicab &
Querencia embrace each other and freely overlapresources of tools and
personnel.

The drivers are cycling enthusiasts who ENJOYtheir "work'"of carting
passengers to local destinations. Last night I meta smiling Kevin who
returned from a shift in the cold rain saying,"I love working in this
weather because then when it's sunny it's gonna beEVEN BETTER!"

I've driven two shifts so far (and I gotta wrapthis up cuz I'm workin
again soon). It's fun! I've met so many nice people.New Year's
resolutions of mine included cycling more andexpanding my social
circle beyond my comfort zone. Check and check!Plus I got some great
tips including cash & avocadoes and when I'mon shift I'm eligible for
free coffee at Big Mike's Coffee on Hickory St.

The big picture is that by providing a freeservice, we're
cultivating community. Additionally, there's adspace on the pedicabs,
and that means: a new medium of communication. Bypromoting local
businesses, we're sending the message: local isbeautiful.

Bryce in Denton,TX