If you think being advertised to is worth free zero-carbon rides through town, then EcoCabs is just for you. Rapidly spreading throughout Europe and North America, this Dublin-based shuttle service relies on pedal power with electric-battery assist. Passengers say the ride is surprisingly smooth with some acceleration kick. Some of the vitals:

Launched: April, 2008
Maximum number of passengers: 3
Top speed: 7 mph/12 km/h
Where: Dublin, Ireland, Toronto, Canada; New York, Chicago, Detroit, California…
Cost to passenger: Free as far as money goes, subject to full vehicle advertising and occasional flyers
Cost per vehicle: $13K

Click here to see videos of EcoCab in the media.

On the one hand, would it be disturbing to be surrounded by a swarm of corporate-branded vehicles? On the other hand, aren’t taxis, buses and subways going the same route anyway? A combination of free, fun and green is an awfully powerful combination to affect peoples’ behavior. What do you think?

Actually, EcoCabs seems to be a relatively recent offshoot of VeloTaxi, which for several years now has been spreading around the world, with franchises all over Europe and farther afield:

http://www.velotaxi.com/php/main.php?id=1&lang=en

It would be an absolutely amazing idea to start in Marrakech, Morocco where I live (http://www.cafedulivre.com and http://www.habibihomes.com)
Polution in this town is terrifying, taxis are constantly trying to overcharge, the city is flat so it’s easy to get around without paddling too hard, it is still relatively easy to circulate, traffic jam wise and 6 mio tourists every year…
I’m sure it would be a great hit and there are enough companies willing to sponsor.
Fantastic idea, hope somebody will do it.

Yet another report on this: http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/37972