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Oct 25, 2009 10:24 pm US/Central
Cowboys To Pedicabs: Peddle Away From The Stadium
Selena Hernandez
ARLINGTON (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
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Pedicabs are common in Downtown Austin.
Not on our property - that's the thought from the Cowboys organization when it comes to the presence of pedicabs at the stadium.
The city of Arlington first took up the issue of pedicabs a month ago, when the tricycle transportation rolled onto the scene. Now, as the city works to finalize the future of pedicabs, the Cowboys are making their position clear.
Game day at Cowboys Stadium brings with it the usual traffic both on foot any by car. In the mix of the congestion, you'll now find dozens of pedicabs - or tricycles specially fitted to transport people.
"We're just trying to have fun and provide a service," pedicab operator Michael Arranbide with Space City Bikes said.
Pedicabs pedal people from parking lots to the stadium curbside.
"It helps because if you're parked far and he only charges tips instead of $10 a person," rider Nikki Ikeakoo said of her trip on a pedicab.
"I'm from Austin where this is a pretty normal thing. The pedicab is perfect," Hannah Sierra said of the presence of pedicabs at Cowboys games.
Yet, what may be deemed as a shortcut for some, is a potentially dangerous situation in the eyes of the Cowboys organization.
"It's something we've communicated with the city that we're really not in favor of. There's a lot of safety concerns as it relates to pedestrian traffic as well as the vehicles moving throughout the parking lots," Cowboys spokesperson Brett Daniels said.
The Cowboys tell CBS11, it believes the tricycle transportation poses a safety issue and it's already taken their concerns to the city and to the pedicab companies.
"We're reaching out to these companies to be proactive and making sure they understand we need to keep them off our property for the safety reasons of our fans," Daniels said.
"Yes we're servicing Cowboys Stadium. I don't go on Cowboy property. I operate on city streets. It's the city I want to make sure is happy for us," operator Greg said with Blue Streak Bikes.
The city says it's looking into the logistics of allowing pedicabs to operate in Arlington. As it stands now, there are no ordinances governing the use and requirements of operating such businesses. So, in the interim, the bikes will continue to bustle willing patrons from miles away.
"They're new to us and we're new to them," Arranbide said. "We're just trying to set a good example and follow the rules. We want them to know that we're smart – it's our safety too."
"I think it'll attract more people to come to the game because if you didn't have to walk so far. Cheaper parking and you get here faster," pedicab patron Nick Arredando said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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