The cycle rickshaw is a small-scale local means of transport; it is also known by a variety of other names such as bike taxi, velotaxi, pedicab, bikecab, cyclo, becak, trisikad, or trishaw or, simply, rickshaw which also refers to auto rickshaws, and the, now uncommon, rickshaws pulled by a person on foot. Cycle rickshaws are human-powered, a type of tricycle designed to carry passengers in addition to the driver. They are often used on a for hire basis. Cycle rickshaws are widely used in major cities around the world, but most commonly in cities of South, Southeast and East Asia. The vehicle is pedal-driven by a driver, though some configurations are equipped with an electric motor to assist the driver. Electric-assist Pedi cabs were banned in New York City in January 2008, along with all other forms of electric vehicles; the city council decided to allow Pedi cabs propelled only by muscle power. The city of Toronto, Canada decided not to issue permits to electric-assist Pedi cabs. The vehicle is usually a tricycle, though some quadracycle models exist, and some bicycles with trailers are configured as cycle rickshaws. The configuration of driver and passenger seats vary by design, though passenger seats are usually located above the span of the longest axle. For example, in most of South Asia, the passenger seat is located behind the driver on a “delta” tricycle, while in Indonesia and Vietnam the driver sits behind the passenger seat on a “tadpole” tricycle. In the …
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