Velotaxis are human-powered tricycles designed for urban recreational transportation. The concept was born in Berlin and then spread to over 35 cities worldwide such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Beirut, Copenhagen, Tokyo, Seoul or Vienna. Velotaxis are mainly about advertising, although they are marketed as an ecological mode of transportation that is fun, non-polluting and quiet. The standard Velotaxi, the City Cruiser, is manufactured in 100% recyclable polyethylene over a steel framework, and weights around 150 kg. (330 pounds). The vehicle is approximately 3 meters long (9,8 ft.) and 1,1 meter wide (3,6 ft.). It has a small 250 w. back-up electric motor energized by two rechargeable 12 v. batteries. The motor disconnects automatically when the vehicle reaches a speed of 11 km/h (6,8 mph). Velotaxis are called VeloLeo in Italy, Wielertaxi in the Netherlands or Trixi in Spain. In Barcelona, Trixis are seasonal and operate between April and October. They circulate in prescribed sightseeing routes around the city and their fare is 18 € ($21) for a one-hour ride. Companies such as Starbucks, Nike, Siemens, Coca Cola or Auna are already benefiting from the visibility of these urban mobile objects. As a modern-day, capitalist, Western adaptation of the Asian cycle rickshaws, Velotaxis have quickly developed their own cultural identity without the socio-economic burdens that comparable vehicles have in Asia: rather than rural migrants, European Velotaxi drivers are young, (cool), well-educated international individuals, male or female. They speak several languages and want to earn their living doing something fun.
