Rickshaw available for hire in Wirral

Jun 24 2009 Bromborough and Bebington News

IF high fuel prices are hitting your pocket, why not rent a rickshaw for a day?

There’s plenty of storage in the rear cab, shelter if the elements become too much and you may even be able to make a few pounds picking up the odd fare.

Wirral Environmental Network is offering their hand-constructed rickshaw – fresh off the eBay shelves – for £25 a day, and anybody can come along and have a go, as long as they are over 18 and leave a deposit of £100.

WEN project officer, Jim O’Neil, told the News: “We bought it on eBay, it’s made in China and cost £500.

“It takes a bit of practice so if somebody wants to have a go, we’ve got a yard here and once they get the hang of it, they can borrow it.”

WEN has already taken £200 in rental money, with all funds raised being ploughed back into the organisation’s fair trade project.

And two weeks ago, the rickshaw made its debut at a major event, appearing in the Lord Mayor’s Parade, across the Mersey in Liverpool. Jim said: “Realistically, it’s ideal for events or short distances, like a little ride around the park or the Lord Mayor’s Parade.

“If you were going to take it to Liverpool, you’d need to come over and get it in a van and take it over there.

“It’s more for bumbling up and down New Brighton Promenade, things like that.”

But there are plenty of ways to make use of a vehicle found everywhere across Asia.

Why not take it for a visit to the supermarket or give your dog a very different kind of trip round the park?

It could even be used as punishment for errant husbands who forget to do the washing up.

Jim added: “We’re just showing what can be done without spending money on petrol.”

Visit www.la21.net or call 639 2121.