The long awaited update..

I mentioned earlier on in the week that we'd been a bit slack at writing the blog and that there was plenty of stuff we could be updating you on, well as promised here we go..

Recycling for the City.

Recycling is something we are keen on here at Hereford Pedicabs and recently an issue came to light that we thought we could do something about. Businesses in town have no recycling provided by the Council, if they want to recycle paper and card they have to pay and external company to come in and remove it, this, as you can imagine, is a costly process. What many shops and businesses end up doing is throwing all of there paper waste into the orange Council bags.

There are two things to note about throwing stuff in the orange bags: 1- It all goes to landfill (bad) 2- It costs £1 a bag (lots!), so with the help of a few other companies we think we can provide a solution. we can pick up the paper and card for cheaper than £1 a bag, then a local company who recycle paper is going to place a container at the Courtyard and remove the paper for free. They sell it on, we make our cash out of picking the paper up and hey presto- affordable sustainable recycling of paper and card for local businesses. Less to landfill an better for the environment.

There are some loose ends being tied up now but in the new year we are launching the scheme so if you think you could benefit get in touch - will@herefordpedicabs.com

Recycling with worms!
Some of our paper and card will end up at enviroshred, they turn it into compost with worms! The idea is to turn paper from business into compost which can be used on flower beds in town, we thought that would be a nice idea.

Cargo and Cabs update...

There's been a bit about this already this week so, just a quick one to tell you that the Cabs have taken 7000 customers now and the Cargo has taken over 6000 items, crazy stuff! It's an exciting time for us and we are growing rapidly, thank you to all of our customers and all of our staff, we couldn't do it without you.

Advertising and promotions for customers..

As you can see from this bike (in the process of having ads put on) we have advertising on our bikes now, both of them are covered in all sorts, shops, pubs, gyms and as we get towards Christmas and the New Year something very special will be happening.. If you ride on a pedicab you will get given one of these:It's a sticker and will entitle you to all sorts of discounts and free things in the pubs and clubs of Hereford, cheap drinks, cheap entry and even cheap gym classes to help you burn off all those drink based calories!

New Staff

In the new year we'll have two new cab riders on board - Tom Booth and Matt Pember - both nice chaps who can't wait to come on board!

Movember and supporting beard

Movember (the month formerly known as November) is a charity event held during November each year. At the start of Movember guys register with a clean shaven face. The Movember participants known as Mo Bros then have the remainder of the month to grow and groom their moustache and along the way raise as much money and awareness about male health issues as possible.

My brother Jon has been taking part in Movember, here he is dressed as a Spaceman (answers on the back of a postcard) last week, I think you'll find it's a fine Mo!I was late to join the game, so officially couldn't take part in Movember so I crafted a fine beard in support, i call it the Geoff, named after Geoff from Byker Grove.

So there we have it, you are now pretty much up to speed. It's almost December, so almost time for Christmas trees and Festive Cheers, Sumo (friend of Pedicabs) seems to have both Festive Cheer and Christmas tree sorted in one...

Lands End to Glasgow

Some of you might know that one of the regular contracts we run is for three council departments moving planning files and building samples about. It means that if you ring up to see a planning application you now get it on the same day instead of three days later.

Well since we started that 15 weeks ago we have moved over 5200 items, what's more we've travelled the equivalent of going from Lands End to Glasgow



We think we'll make John O Groats on Feb the 8th...

Trial Blog!

If you can see this it means i've cracked Blogging from my mobile, so you can expect more updates as i'm on the move. AWESOME!

Late Entries

As expected, those unable to make the 1st annual 1 minute 1 man 1 horse competition have begun to submit their entries. Unfortunately, they of course cant be graded, it takes a year to assemble the judging panel. Also submission by email can not verify that only 1 minute was spent on the drawing of the horse and that the 'artist' was suitably inebriated. However, it would be unfair not to allow entries under our fun, green and honest policies. So, in the words of the Artist :

"I know that I was absent for the actual competition, but 12 months is a long way to wait for the next one.

Therefore, if you would permit, I would like to submit my entry for marking. I realise that the judges decision has already been made but I would like to use this entry as a gauge to distinguish my potential position in next years competition.

It’s entitled “Lady Boy Horse”.

It’s wearing lipstick, heels, a bra and some knickers."



Please send your entries to - info@herefordpedicabs.com ........

Lycra Hour!!

I've had a fair few weeks not riding, as Ad, Luke and Daz (we miss you if you're reading) have/were cracking on with the shifts themselves. I ride cargo everyday as is it and being so busy it's good to have a break, however, my attention has been bought to this Gem-I remember it well, it was part of promotion Luke and I used to run to increase our tips.. Lycra hour! I'll be back on the cabs over the festive season, roll on the promos!

1st annual 1 minute 1 man 1 horse competition

So Saturday night after a few jars we began the horse drawing competition, 1 minute, 1 horse, 1 person, judged by a panel of up to twelve. The results were impressive, quality was high as always and this year saw a top average score of 7.6, who would have thought it.

Dave's cat 3.1
Pig horse 4.25
Stick horse 4.3
Hamburger horse 4.5
Answers on a post card 4.6
Dragon horse, nice udders 5
Horsey no feet 5.12
Marks for artistic merit 5.2
Lassie 5.72
Lloyd the horse 6
No legs 6.5
Happy Horse 6.6
Cave horse 6.72
Grinning horse 7 (my personal favourite)
Rocking Horse 7
Aardvark 7
The racing zebra 7.5
Classical 7.6

Congratulations to the 1st placed drawer - Lili Weston, of course there is no prize, it's a strictly amateur competition and you have been ousted as a pro horse artist. Better luck next year to all..

A present for pedicabs!

So today when I arrived at our depot someone had been kind enough to leave a present in the form of a smoothie and a kinder bueno, so mystery giver, thank you!

If any one can help get to the bottom of the case feel free to leave a comment.

You may notice that the smoothie has a little knitted hat on, have a look here to find out why..

Blog Drought

Yes, we know, it's been a while, it's because there's just so much going on, this week, i'll be updating you on:

A recycling scheme for the city
Turning paper in to compost with worms
Cargo
Cabs
Advertising
Stickers!!
Movember
Suporting Ginger Beards
New Staff members
lots of other little things,

in the mean time, we had a great weekend, we took elves to Santa's grotto on Saturday and the Panto Dame to switch on the lights yesterday, we never thought it would be like this..

Big Long Week

One of our bikes did 509 items of freight this week.

Time to put the feet up and have a beer.

What do we carry as cargo

Well all sorts of things, samples, boxes, letters, big things, small things, all sorts. One of my loads today consisted of 15 Boxes and 30 other items, it's like Mary Poppins' handbag I tell you.

ONE YEAR IN!!

Today is a special day. It is exactly one year since Ben and I had those few beers that got this whole ball rolling - the start of it all.. We can't belive it's gone by this quickly. So much has been achieved since then. We've purchased bikes, managed to get the council to licence them, got Bulmers to supply or depot, recruited riders, developed safe working practices and incredibly.. established a sustainble green company. All the way along we've kept with our three key policies of being Fun, Green and Honest and it's been brilliant. So what next...

Well, we've taken over 6000 customers since April, our Pedicargo freight service has moved over 3500 items since August and now we are on the brink of launching a recycling programme. Last week we recruited a new rider and next week will be the same, the bikes now have advertising on them and a steady stream of new customers, so we're thinking big now. Big contracts for freight, big recycling programmes and hopefully by summer, we'll have many more riders and bikes making Hereford greener by the day!

It's a good thing to be part of. Thanks to everyone who has been of help so far and to all our customers and clients.

Will and Ben
Hereford Pedicabs

Really Really Cool!

It's always been a thought to use the bikes as mobile advertising to let people know what's on and what's happening and today it finally happened check out the first two bits. Both from the Courtyard (we are big fans of them).

One's about open Mic Night and the other is about the Chrimbo Panto! WooHoo

Radio 2

If you were the lady who rang Radio 2 to tell them that we had delivered your post then thanks for that!

Plenty of people heard - Glad to be of Service

All the team

Hereford Pedicargo

Howdy Folks!

It's been a little while, so I thought I'd update you on a few things!

First of all is something very important called Connect2. Connect2 is a UK-wide project that will transform local travel in 79 cities, towns and villages by creating new walking and cycling routes for the journeys we all make every day. Crossings and bridges will be created over busy roads, railway lines and rivers, linking into new networks of local paths to get you to where you want to go.

If Connect2 wins, millions of you will be able to travel in a healthy and environmentally-friendly way to the shops, school, work, and the park or to see family and friends. Connect2 in Hereford will see the devlopment of some new paths and an alternative route to Rotherwas. It'll make travle by bike and foot, safer and make it easier for us to all travel about under out own steam. That way we can all do our bit for the environment!

A few weeks ago Luke and I took part ina promotional day around Hereford, which saw a banner travel (a bit like the Olympic flame) from one side of the town to the other. Our Cargo bikes and Pedicabs were involved.

The banner accompanied me to various morning stops before I handed it over to be taken up to Belmont PCT.

On its way back from Belmont with a walking group Luke and I were on hand with the pedicabs to run folk all over.

So a great day was had by all, and Connect2 needs your vote. Register here and then on the day theyll send you a reminder by email or text - http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk/

Lovely Stuff

"Hi
I would like to say thank you very much for the amazing job that your man Luke did, he was very nice & very patient.the cab just looked great again thank you very much. I have inc. a couple of pics for yourselves.

Mrs. Jess Hood"

Customer 5000! And some other cool facts!

So I guess we should have told you about this earlier, but a few weeks ago now we took our 5000th customer, just from the evening work, the customers in question were Sam, Mel and Tom. The guy on the left is Daz one of our riders and the photo was take by Ad one of our other riders.

So since we started some 6 months ago, we've taken thousands of customers and weve literally come a long way, thousands of miles, which means we have saved many many short journey in cars and stopped loads of nasty carbon entering our environment. The launch of Pedicargo will see plenty more of that. In fact since we started our trial and now we are in to our full time roll out we have already transported over 2500 items, files, documents all sorts.

It's amazing stuff so a massive thank you to everyone who has ridden in a pedicab, sent some cargo or just given us a supportive shout. Thanks.

From all of the team.

Will, Ben, Daz, Luke and Ad

Happy Days

Big congratulations to Dean and his lovely wife on their recent event!

All the best from all of the team!

Great Launch!

It went very well. I didn't get any photos myself but managed to get this one today of a reciept for some cocktails bought last night.

Business is booming, it's a great time to be a pedicargo rider!

Will

On that note, recruitment drive now on for pedicabbers and pedicargo riders. Get in touch if your keen-
will@herefordpedicargo.com

Pedicargo Official Launch Today

That's right after an 8 week trial and having shifted thousands of documents and parcels our official launch to business takes place tonight.The reception is on Thursday October 4th at Café Green, 39-43 St.Owens St, Hereford from 5.30-7.00pm.

So if your trying to reduce your carbon emissions and lower the cost to your business of transporting same day cargo and mail, come along see the trikes and show your support.

See you all later!!

Will

www.herefordshireguide.co.uk

I had a great meeting last week with Helen Edwards, she runs the HerefordshireGuide.co.uk, a website about stuff to do in Herefordshire, you know, where to have a meal, what to do at the weekends.

It was great to see Helen and hear how passionate she is about Hereford and enabling people to make the most of it. So if your at a loose end of things to do or you just want to nose about, have a look! HerefordshireGuide.co.uk

An amazing meeting

So yesterday i had an amazing meeting with a chap called Michael Hainge, he's the Director of Environment for Hereford Council! He's in charge of all things green and even better he has the power to really make changes. We talked at length about how Pedicabs and Pedicargo can fit into the forward plan for Hereford Council.

It was great to speak with Michael and to be able to offer solutions to obstacles that he currently has, that's about all I say right now but watch this space! Exciting things to come!!

A weekend away!

Hello all!,

It's not often that I manage to get out of Hereford for a weekend, fortunatley with our great new riders, not so new anymore, I was able to have last weekend off. Luke and Ads rode Friday and Saturday night and also rode Saturday day time to promote a health and wellbeing event for Herefordshire council. In the mean time I was escaping to see my brother in the big smoke and also get some mountain biking in.

As all good weekends start we had a few beers on Friday night and then Saturday morning we headed out of Camberley to Swinley Forest to hit the trails.The sun was shining and the trails we dry and it was great to just be out in the great outdoors. Jon, my brother, was not feeling to great, Friday nights beers getting the better of him..I was having a great time though, it's been some time since I managed to get out on the bike and usually I manage to pick the days with lots of wind and plenty of rain! Really glad I made the effort this weekend and there was some good riding to be hadSo after the ride back to the house we watched the rugby and had a few more beers. Unusually we had a quite night in and the hit the big smoke on Sunday,
we took a train in and had a nice day of catching up. London is a funny place, full of energy and always loads going on, it's easy to forget what it's like. Of course I had another agenda and wanted to see some Pedicabs in action, we saw a few but none as nice as out own! Not a uniform or clean cab in sight! Great to see them in action though.So after grabbing some late lunch we hitched the train home and I set off on the journey back to the shire. Re-energised for the week to come!

An update....

So it's been a while since you've heard whats going on with everything.

Ad is back from holiday and now riding as are Darren and Luke, and they are loving it, it's great for us to see them out there having a good time. The cabs are going fron strength to strength and with the financial push that cargo will bring we'll soon have more vehicles. So it's really working. I now work pretty much full time for Pedicargo, so it's been a real tunraround in my life, to be effecitvley self employed. Crazy Stuff.

Recnetly it's been physically quite tough just riding all the time, lots of cargo. Then tradegy struck at a local beer festival when I danced so hard i pulled a hamstring, I thought it was game over for a bit until Luke stepped in. You see he's qualified to deliver massage and as far as i'm concerned he worked some magic on the leg. So this is a bit of a plug for him, he's mobile and charges a very reasonable rate. Luke Matthews 07747572306

So it's all going well and it's all still very exciting and still green, honest and most importantly fun.

Thanks for riding with us and for letting us move your cargo.

You ROCK!

Official Cargo Launch and Free Trials!!

There is a big mailout going from the council to business in Hereford today, telling them about cargo. We did an emailout to plenty of folk, asking them to our official launch and offering them a free trial. It went something like this..
Hereford Pedicargo are proud to invite you to our formal launch and to offer you a free trial of our zero emission cargo and courier service!

With the help of Herefordshire Council we are offering a number of subsidised trials for Business in Hereford throughout September, so if your trying to reduce your carbon emissions and lower the cost to your business of transporting same day cargo and mail we'd love to hear from you.

To launch the service Hereford Pedicargo and Herefordshire Council would like to invite you to a reception on Thursday October 4th at Café Green, 39-43 St.Owens St, Hereford from 5.30-7.00pm. We would be delighted if you could attend, it'll be a chance to ask any questions you might have, see the trikes and show your support. If you can let us know if your attending we might even lay on some nibbles!

We hope you can take us up on the offer of a free trial and look forward to seeing you on October the 4th.

Kind Regards

Will Vaughan (and the rest of the gang)
Rider and Director
Hereford Pedicargo and Pedicabs
Tel: 07718320195
Email: will@herefordpedicabs.com
Web: www.herefordpedicabs.com

Further information:
Specifics of Hereford Pedicargo

Hereford Pedicargo are a company established by Hereford Pedicabs, Hereford’s Cycle rickshaw company. Our aim is to provide an emission free cargo service, enabling business and local authority within Hereford to have access to a facility not only aimed at reducing their short journeys and emissions, but also aimed at increasing their productivity and reducing the labour cost involved of sending an employee across a congested town to deliver goods.

Where When and Why

Pedicargo vehicles are often much quicker than a car or van over short urban distances. At four feet wide and just over eight feet long they can squeeze through gaps and also, being cycles, they are allowed to use the cycle paths of Hereford.

We aim to provide a week time service, year round, working between the hours of 8am - 6pm. This will allow us to effectively provide a same day and next day service.

Our riders are strong and able to haul up to a quarter of a ton on their specialist bikes. The goal is to provide a service to organisations based within an approximate 2 kilometre distance of the city centre, although the cycle networks will allow us quick and efficient access to the majority of the major industrial trading areas. This flexibility often enables us to bypass the problems of congestion in Hereford.

For our customers using Hereford Pedicargo to transport their freight is more than just picking a cost effective, quick solution to their transportation problems.

They care about the environment and about the place they live, they care about real sustainable options. They wonder how they can make a difference that will be felt, and seen, and appreciated by others. We know how they feel, that’s why we started Hereford Pedicargo.

Sometimes it’s easy to make changes, turn down the thermostat and put on a jumper, recycle your waste or take a walk to work. Other times it’s not so easy, there are factors you cant change, things outside of your control.

That’s why we wanted to give people the option of a green courier service. Local companies using local facilities to solve their problems, and in turn helping to provide a sustainable method of green cargo to the other people of their town.

Our Core Policies

Being a company means having responsibility, you have to think of lots of things but it doesn’t mean you have to stop the fun, or mistreat the little guys. We want to achieve or aims by stepping on as few toes as possible.

Right from the start we laid out our policies and made an oath (well not quite, but a promise) that we would do everything by them. So far it’s been a really refreshing way to work. So what do they mean?

Fun

It’s all got to be fun, all decisions, all the things we do, our aspirations, our daily tasks. Fun for us and fun for the customers. This doesn’t mean we wont take things seriously, on the contrary, we have a very professional and serious outlook on this scheme. So far it’s been great and we’ve found that it’s much easier to get where you want to go with a smile than a frown.

Green

It’s a mainstay of the company, it has got to be green. All of our choices are affected by this policy. For instance when we chose our Pedicargo Vehicles, we didn’t consider bikes from America or Germany, we looked at British built products. Not only did this mean we supported our own economy but its also meant we don’t have to fly or ship our bikes from abroad, imagine the miles you’d have to cycle to equal a flight over the Atlantic!!

We’re also going to keep our paper marketing at a minimum and use electronic methods of telling people about us, our uniforms are sourced from a British company that use organic cottons and eco friendly dyes. We're not saying we’re going to eat grass and never use cars again but what we are doing is using something we are lucky to have (choice) to make decisions that benefit the world we’re in.

Honest

You know the saying, ‘Honesty is the best policy’ - well it’s kind of true. We don’t aim to pull the wool over anybody’s eyes. Just to make decisions based upon what we believe to be in the best interest of our company and the people that use our service.

We’re frank about what we do, we’re not into cutting corners and we want to give the best deal to our customers both on the bikes and off the bikes. We want people to trust us and trust that we are going to do what we set out to do.