Synopsis: Men of Burden – Pedaling towards a Horizon is a Documentary Film set in the city of Pondicherry, a Union Territory in South East India, the Documentary film uncovers the story of disappearing Cycle rickshaw drivers living in abject poverty. Over time, the city has experienced a gradual but alarming reduction in the number of Cycle rickshaws thereby diminishing the chances of living of those who depend on them. What used to be one of the primary modes of transport in the city is now a fading memory with the few remaining ones staging a difficult survival. The film explores some of the ethical dimensions of man pulling man against the background of increasingly menacing effects of motorized transport and Air pollution. It also takes you through the Rickshaw men’s journey of hope on the roads that have fostered them.
Representing one facet of India’s Population below Poverty line, these unflagging men perpetually struggle to eat one satisfying meal a day. But what is remarkable is the essence of some who believe in making a difference in an apparently hopeless livelihood. While India’s big cities are racing towards Globalization and Technology, these men, against all odds, remain appreciative of their modest lives by believing in the power of now.
Portraying the immediacy and desolation of the situation the film highlights a catalytic change revolutionizing India’s economic and social future from the grass roots level. Juxtaposing the way of life of these men with definitive solutions, the film answers the question of how these changes can trickle down to the roots of India’s soil.

sorry about the missing link for the reg

no apology for the poetic liberties

yesterday (or maybe thursday) the city council consumer affairs committee released intro 331-a (http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/textfiles/Int%200331-2006.htm?CFID=2005790&CFTOKEN=82739355). without going into too much detail and boring those who know and love this city, this city council (nor the mayor office) is NOT progressive. they are ACTIVE in discouraging cycling. this is not about commercial cycling, or recreational cycling or even about political cycling (ie. critical mass). this is a clear failure on the part of those decision makers to view cycling as TRANSPORTATION. cycling is transportation and in these dense urban environments, it is superior in every way to MOTORIZED vehicles. again, most people reading this website are familiar with the arguments. i would just like to draw on one statement in the regulation.

“It is…the purpose of this subchapter to minimize the effect of pedicabs on traffic and congestion…”
the emphasis is mine.

what is the effect of pedicabs on traffic and congestion in our beautiful city? a quick visit to times square easily demonstrates the effects. travel else where in midtown also shows the effects of pedicabs. dont waste your time looking anywhere else (except maybe the village night life scene) because pedicabs have YET to effect any other area of the city. do the narrow, human-scaled vehicle double park? do they block the box? are they blowing their horns at all hours of they day and night? no, no, and no. the vehicle is more often forced onto the sidewalk to park and blocks the MOST effect means of urban transportation. far too nimble to be trapped anywhere on a city street, the tricycles simmply finds room between the larger, heavy, motorized vehicles clogging the streets and avenues. a pedicab driver is not frustrated on ninth avenue stuck in the lincoln tunnel traffic. often viewed at FUN, CLEAN, or SIMPLE, the pedicab is TRANSPORTATION.

so what is the effect of pedicabs on traffic and congestion? human-scaled vehicle do have a particular effect on motorized traffic. watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYOTpBvYCvU , sponsored by the metropolitan taxi board of trade. there is so much material in this video, but i cant stop thinking about one specific scene. eight minutes and twenty seconds into the video the camera ‘interviews’ a woman taxi cab driver. the leading questions aside, she says very simply “i am very much cautious not to touch them, you know, not to hurt them”. when else have you seen a cab driver so friendly? human-scaled vehicles CALM traffic. with their size the MITIGATE congestion.

now why would the mayor fire wienshall after she said the traffic shows the vitality city? sounds like she has the party line down pretty well. the politician in this city should be ashamed of their lack of backbone. im sick of hearing about ‘political cover’. is this not the capitol of the world? can we not lead the way with innovation? why are we stuck in, and on, motorized traffic?

Orlando, Florida has NO bike lanes on its busiest downtown streets – and up to 70 pedicabs!

Hugh, Earth Shuttle Pedalcab

-alex

true the public should know how dangerous “motorized vehicles” are on the street and how close they come to hitting pedicabs and all bikers in general. the mayor must address this issue as it’s only going to grow and oil shortages increase.

there were ZERO pedicab accidents and none from the previous years – compared that to the 2 horrible horse and carriage accidents in 2006 — that left one guy in a coma.

but the real answer to your solution, all motorized vehicle should stay OUT of the bike lanes, and bike lanes should be widened.