Pedicab company finds sweet spot in downtown Kansas City
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It's a beautiful day for a pedicab ride. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
Kansas City's only pedicab company is filling the gap between existing ride-hailing services, claustrophobic parking garages and public transit — all with colorful lights, handmade decorations, and smiles.
The big picture: Pedicabs — those bike-powered, LED-clad cabbies often tied to party districts in big cities — have been zooming around downtown streets since March 2024.
- But an expanded fleet and an uptick in business have made nighttime sightings more common in the past year, Mark Manning, E-Z Pedicabs director of operations, tells Axios.
Catch up quick: Atticus Sloan, who has worked in the music festival industry building stages, started the business to travel as a festival vendor.
- "But the response was so great when we first started," Manning says, that the company stayed busy servicing Kansas Citians instead, growing from two cabs to four within the first year.
- "We've kind of just been embraced by the city," Sloan says.
How it works: Manning is one of the drivers — "They're very fun, they're very quick, very maneuverable" — but he also dispatches other cabs as calls come in and helps service the vehicles.
- The vehicles are essentially large, pedal-assisted e-tricycles with a cabin that seats up to six, complete with seat belts, windbreakers and canopies handwoven by Sloan's mom.
- Folks in need of a pickup can call or text to book a time or snag the next available cab, which can arrive within minutes, Manning says. After all, bikes "can take the back way."
Zoom in: Downtown is mostly walkable, but hills, heels and happy hours don't always encourage bipedal travel. On the flipside, it can feel silly calling an Uber to take you half a mile.
- Manning says they do a lot of rides from Crossroads to Power and Light, and that the clientele is mostly locals.
Zoom out: E-Z Pedicabs is still trying to find out how it fits into the flow of the city. As a fusion of transportation and entertainment — music thumps, lights shine, and if people just want to "ride around, that's cool" — Manning says they want to serve as ambassadors for the city.
- "We really want to make it a transportation option over just a tour operation," Sloan says.
💭 Travis' thought bubble: Manning told me, "everyone has a huge smile after they get off and during" the ride. And by the end of my ride, I have to admit, so did I.
What to expect: Rates run $15 for 15 minutes per passenger, or $50-$80 per person for tours.
- Service includes the greater downtown area, but rides have extended as far as Brookside and KCK.
- Cabs are most readily available nights and weekends, but call-ins are welcome during weekdays with advance notice.
What's next: Sloan is gearing up for the 2025 AltCap your Biz pitch event after winning the 2024 fan favorite award — with the goal to purchase more pedicabs and provide heating for passengers in the winter.