“Bikes Bring It”
Nick Kroncke
cessful pedicabber in Athens simply could not be done.” Luckily, Eric proved that it could be done, and he was able to incorporate it with the love of his hometown and the individuality and ingenuity that surrounds this community. He had to address what type of vehicle was suitable for the environment, and this led to him to build the bike from recycled/custom parts . The weight of the cab was a challenge because it affects both the driver’s stamina when climbing hills and the ability to control the cab on descents. When bringing this idea to Athens, Cornwell also encountered another unique obstacle: Pedicabs had not been previously encountered in this community, so cultural perceptions were shaped negatively about the service. The ethnic origins of the Have you seen the guy riding a strange, asymcab have encountered some discrimination when metrical passenger [tri]cycle giving people rides around placed in an American setting. Eric set out to create a Athens? This taxi service, “Bikes Bring It,” provides hu- new brand of pedicab that was environmentally specific man-powered transportation throughout Athens’ viand culturally relevant to Athens, Ohio. brant nightlife scene. In 2009, Eric Cornwell started While setting up this business and as it continues to providing rides throughout his beloved hometown. grow, Eric has many goals in mind that range from very Weather permitting, Eric is out Thursday through Saturbroad to very specific. Worldwide, he hopes to reduce day night from 12AM to 3AM. Customers simply hail the amount of pollution created by transportation and him on the streets and sidewalks, though they can also to emphasize the role human power can play in replaccall arrange a pick-up by calling 740-229-9719. While ing the need for fossil fuels in everyday life. “Personally, out and about, Eric will update his Twitter I want to facilitate the shift of consumerism from being (@BikesBringIt) with the location of his trips. Available ignorant, detached, and arbitrary towards exchanges routes are based upon the relative elevation of the desthat are more dynamic, personalized, and spontanetination, but ideally, he travels as far as the Athens city ous,” Eric states. He is accomplishing this by recycling limits. the waste material of the bicycle culture and turning Up to 3 persons can be accommodated at a time. that into useful and profitable products. Within the AthPassengers pay in tips at the end of the journey in acens community, “Bikes Bring It” provides a plethora of cordance with how far they traveled and their enjoypositive outcomes. This service offers affordable transment of the experience. The average tip depends on the portation, a safe ride home at night, entertainment, distance and elevation, but the average tip is around and encouragement of bike use on campus. In a broad$7. Of course this means he can get stiffed by some er sense, this business fosters a more interactive busi“customers,” but plenty of other generous people make ness model and helps others build faith in an individual up for them. entrepreneurship. This idea originally came from an attempt to integrate bicycle transportation more fully within our community. Along with this, Eric states that, “When presented with an opportunity to work with some aging rickshaws (pedicab) from India, I readily agreed. I wanted to develop expertise in a new area of cycling and also disprove those who had told me that being a suc-
“Bikes Bring It” has accomplished many goals, big and small, that have benefitted the Athens community in many ways. Eric has taken a personal pursuit and turned it into something great. He continues to improve his business, all while helping the community. Add a “Bikes Bring It“ ride to your Athens bucket list for a wonderful experience! 7