Charleston Bike Taxi — Tour Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"Zoom out. What’s the big picture here? Why Uber when you can take a bike taxi? They're an open-air way of being chauffeured from Point A to Point B, with unobstructed views of the city. We can all agree that fewer cars on the road are a good thing. Less noise, less pollution, quieter streets. Ten years ago, there weren’t that many pedicabs in Charleston. Now there are three companies. We like this one because of its professionalism, polish, promptness, and easy-to-spot telltale yellow cabs. You can flag one down, or call to be picked up. How are the guides? All pedalers are intimately familiar with the city. They live here. So they can recommend places to visit, stores to check out, and especially where to eat (bikers burn a lot of calories; they love food by necessity). There are about fifty riders on call for this company, including college students, history teachers, real estate agents, M.B.A. students, or those prepping for med school. What they all have in common is a love for exercise, sunshine, and their city. They also shout-out as safe “designated drivers” for the late-night bar crowd. Anything you’ll be remembering weeks or months or years from now? My brother-in-law visiting from New Orleans orchestrated a family ride-along. An elderly matron was chauffeured by pedicab, while the younger generations tailed her on individual bicycles and rode along beside (when there was no traffic), an inclusive way to “bike” as a group. Anything else to keep in mind? Pedicabs seat a maximum of three people; if you’re traveling in a larger group, just book a few cabs to ride in unison. The price is $6 per person for a ten-minute trip, with a $10 minimum. You can get picked up at your hotel and taken to any destination. Or book a cab for an extended shopping spree: your rider will take you from store to store, wait outside, and watch your bags. If you have mobility issues, riders can help give you a boost up or a lift down. Sometimes bike taxis are hired by the elderly or those tired of walking, to “shadow” a walking tour they have paid for. Bottom line: Bike taxis are great for everyone. Even locals enjoy a ride, rediscovering their own city at a bike’s pace without having to concentrate on traffic or worry about parking. Just remember that taxis are not licensed tour guides, so do not hire them with that expectation." - Allston McCrady
