Written by Abstract Samm
Have you ever seen a pedicab, usually two people in a sort of cart being pulled by a bicycle and wondered what that was about? Seems like it’s pretty hard to go outside and not see them all over City Market and other areas of Historic Downtown Savannah, never tiring out, always ready to help you find out why this is our favorite city to live in. Even if you’ve managed to go this far without noticing one of the bikes, you’re in for a treat today. Whether you’re looking for a ride to the bar or back to the hotel from an amazing night out, our sibling company Royal Bike Taxi has been serving for many years and is looking forward to all of the years to come. Even locals have been known to flag down a friend or two for a ride every once in a while, as the ride is usually faster than calling a cab or waiting for an Uber. If that doesn’t convince you of how loyal we are to Royal around here, then keep on reading to find out some awesome news about Royal Bike and what we are excited to be able to offer in the future! Assisting with events ranging from regular flag downs in Historic Savannah, to group reservations that assist in downtown travel for sporting events, Royal Bike Taxi is proud to give rides to everyone that needs it. Particularly popular with weddings and conventions, our pedicabs are a fun way to ride the city in style with a local driver who really knows Savannah. When you’re navigating the city on a bike, you just seem to learn the area without much effort.
If you’ve never heard of a pedicab before and have managed to make it all the way to this particular sentence, we truly commend your patience and are glad to share with you this bit of history. If you already know what the pedicab is, and are curious to know why they even exist, this bit is for you as well. Picture this, a regular old bicycle with a regular local going for a ride, except there’s a twist. A box shaped set of seats is fastened to the back, holding a couple of people at a time. What a sight to see, right? Well around here, locals are used to seeing just that all the time. Everyone who drives in Savannah’s beautiful historic district has an innate ability to safely navigate around a few things, festivals, marathons and pedicabs. After a while, you just get used to the barriers and traffic laws.
Does the pedicab concept sound like some variation of a rickshaw to you? We thought the same and decided to do some digging to find out the origin of the pedicab and found out that it did begin as a “cycle rickshaw” rumored to have been invented back in 1880s Japan. Here in the states, Seattle is said to have been the first American home of the pedicab and by the 1980s, there were over 3 billion documented cycle rickshaws around the world. That idea did not take long to flourish. With the rides being cost efficient, eco-friendly and just plain out fun to be a part of, there’s no wonder to why the trend caught on and continues to stick around.
When thinking of other potential names for this type of machine, many options can come up. Around the world, they are referred to other names like, bike taxi, cyclo, bike cab and velotaxi. No matter what you’re deciding to call it that day, there’s many reasons to consider utilizing Royal Bike Taxi while you’re in Savannah. Along with being completely eco friendly (gluten free, 100% Vegan etc) you’re showing support for a local business that also supports local businesses/artists in Savannah. So tertiary, a ride on a Royal Bike pedicab is a way to give back to our community, even if you’re only stopping in for a short time. All of this is happening while you’re able to enjoy a truly unique experience, one that changes for the better with every driver you get to meet. Our guides are knowledgeable about the city, from all over the world, personable, and dang funny to boot. One thing that all of our drivers have in common is this, a shared love for Savannah and making sure our guests have a good time. When you take a ride on the Royal Bike Taxi pedicab, you’re playing a major role in what keeps us all excited about being a part of the community. Now that you know a little bit about what you’re getting into with us (entirely too much fun, to be clear) let’s get to the great news. Keep on reading to find out what’s happening with us now and in the future! If you’re already convinced, go ahead and bookmark this tab while you head over to royalbiketaxi.com to call and book your ride. Even if you’re not headed there yet, go ahead and bookmark the cyclesavannah.com blog to stay updated on everything relevant in Savannah’s historic district. We cover everything you need to know about a visit to our exciting city, from a local point of view. Seriously, everything, even sober options are mentioned in previous posts. You’re missing out if you don’t take a moment to browse past topics.
Okay okay, let’s get to the big news. Did you know that up until January of 2020, tours given on pedicabs weren’t allowed in the city of Savannah? Well, last year in January, new legislation was passed that finally allows pedicab drivers to host personal tours around the historic district and we are hyped about it. With the new rules allowing for tours, we have made an addition to the flock of yellow pedicabs that line the streets of Savannah, and you can’t miss it. Our brand new Savannah Sip N’ Cycle white or red cabs are as stylish as they are exciting and you’ll want to book a tour ASAP. For almost 10 years, the yellow cabs have been taking people on rides with strictly destination in mind. Now, we can turn the journey into the destination, while teaching people about the city that we love so much to be a part of.
If you’re wondering what type of tours we offer, the answer is “yes” to just about anything you could possibly imagine. For the history buffs, there’s no shortage of stories and facts that cover every inch of each building. You could go so far to say that the only thing in Savannah that covers the area more than historical significance, would be the Spanish moss, and there’s plenty of moss. From the Telfair Museum to the Savannah College of Art and Design, historic monuments still play an active part in the city, with history being revisited constantly and we can’t wait to tell you all about it. All of our tour guides are not just full of factual knowledge, you’re sure to hear a personal quip or two, making the experience personal in a way that is not always available with the larger tours.
Being one of the most haunted cities in the country, there’s a paranormal/haunted tour going on almost every evening. Here at Savannah Sip N’ Cycle, we are no exception to that rule. From cemeteries to ghosts and buildings that did not outlive the hauntings within, Savannah is dripping with scary stories. Some of these stories are documented, some are just local legend, others might be personal. Regardless of who you are, what you do for a living, and what your intentions are when you move to our city, you’re sure to leave with your own story after any length of stay. One sure way to find out where the hauntings happen most is to take one of our ghost inspired tours, full of not just the standard documented stories that we’ve all heard a thousand times. Along with classic tales, our tour guides are not just ready to tell you the recycled tales from past times. Truly a personal experience, you’re in for a treat when you ask a local driver if they’ve ever seen a ghost. Each ride is different and each ride is invigorating.
Seriously, if you can think of it, we can come up with a tour for it and are happy to do so. Savannah is the type of place that is not just overflowing with historical significance, but creating new moments every day that will be relevant later. Here at Savannah Sip N Cycle, and Royal Bike Taxi, we have been a part of this community and aren’t just hyped to tell you about it. We are readily striving to make the city a better place to live in and visit, which can really be as simple as a tour or a safe ride home from the bar. The pedicab and party bike are not just a means of transportation that is safe and affordable, they are a taste of Savannah that you can’t purchase at a restaurant. Above all, Savannah has been home to anyone who manages to head this way and will continue to be for years to come. Here at Savannah Sip and Royal Bike, we are just privileged to be a part of it and can’t tell you how ready we are to share it with you. Savannah is the type of place that helps the locals while catering to the tourists and we are glad to be able to offer rides for single riders, pairs and groups of people from all over the world with guides from all over the world. With our new tours ready to be booked, the possibilities are seemingly endless for what we as a company can offer you.
BOOK THE #1 PEDICAB IN SAVANNAH
Get from point A to point B – Take a spooky tour – Or Even Customize your own Journey! Pedicabs are awesome for adding a spice of Romance, or a jolt of Energy to any occasion!
Before you go, don’t forget to take a second and look around the site and learn how to book a tour on the partybike, a rolling party with no limits that can seat up to 15 people. Seats start at just 25$ and the entire bike can even be rented out. Wedding parties, regular parties or even date night, no event is too big or small when you’re booking with Savannah Sip N Cycle. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to join in on the fun no matter where you’re at or what you’re doing. Use the hashtag #PartyBike or #RoyalBike to be featured on our social media, we always look forward to seeing your photos and videos. Book now, tours fill up quickly for the weekends. We can’t wait to hear from you!