And isn’t it ironic that as this vile form of transport is seeping into the UK, Delhi is clearing the rickshaws and tuk-tuks out of its city centre in favour of electric buses? Proof I suppose of the African saying that “Progress does not always go in a forward direction”.

I’ve said all that I need to, so shut up slaves and get pedalling!

As for the guys in Sheffield, I know them will and part of the goal of their business is to be ethical and fair – exploitation and undervaluing of staff simply wont be taking place.

Good luck vert-i-go.

I’m not sure where you got your information Cressers, I assume from your own observations, but this particular project is a co-op. I would think you would support the idea of the drivers not being exploited by an employer who profits from the driver’s labor.

“Where will it end? ‘workfare’ programmes for the unemployed being forced into rickshaw pedalling?”

This is perhaps the worst slippery slope argument I have ever heard. And that’s no small feat considering “defense of marriage” advocates would have us believe that extending equal rights to homosexuals will inevitably lead to legalized bestiality. I will give you points though, jumping from a worker owned and operated collective to a gulag does show imagination.

“Are humans to be reduced to being draft animals?”

I find this to be incredibly patronizing to the drivers of cycle-richshaws/bugbugs/cyclos/pedicabs/velotaxis/trishaws (whatever you want to call them). It is honest work and comparing those who do it to animals is condescending and way off base — draft animals do not have a choice in how they earn a living.

“The issue is whether the economic relationship involved in rickshaw pedalling is equitable and consensual.”

As for consensual, I would point out again that the drivers are not being forced to join the co-op. And with regard to the equitability, the workers themselves would seem to be the best people to decide what compensation they deem fair.

“would you find it acceptable for someone to carry someone else who would be considered economically superior, around on their back, or on a sedan chair for money?”

Cressers you really topped yourself here, this analogy is even more ridiculous than your pedicabs will lead to forced labor argument. But I do find your choice of language telling. It would seem that you feel the those who ride in pedicabs feel superior to those who drive pedicabs. I think this says more about you than about the actual dynamics of the situation. Tell me, do you feel superior to the “server” when you give them your “order”?

“Yes I do consider rickshaws (let us not use the euphemistic pedicab) to be demeaning.”

This is really the crux of our disagreement. Pedicab is not only NOT demeaning but it is not a euphemism. On the other hand referring to the pedicabs being proposed in England as rickshaws is a form of Orientalism and carries a whiff of colonialism.

“I wonder how long it would be before it was considered a status symbol by the exploiting classes to have a driver in service?”

Exploiting classes? Uh… well comrade, as status symbols go, I don’t think a personal pedicab driver could really hold a candle to, say, the crew these swine exploit to man their private yaughts. And frankly, if it meant that these economically superior exploiters kept their limo parked in their palatial garages more often, I’d be all for it.

I guess I just don’t feel ashamed to work for my money, and I’m sorry you think I should.