Two "tricycle rickshaws" have appeared in Norwich. There's some wrangle with the licensing authority which means that, for the moment, the operators are not allowed to charge a fare. So Philip Russell and his tricycling colleague, who was at lunch when I took these photos, are supplying their services free of charge. Free, that is, to customers; the tricycles' sponsors pay the "rickies". In the peak season the rickshaws will be plying for trade in the north Norfolk seaside town of Sheringham, where they will be licensed.
Philip recently graduated in aircraft engineering but hasn't found a job in that profession owing, he says, to the recession.
The tricycles have assistance from an electric motor powered by a lead-acid battery, which fits in the "boot" between the two rear wheels. One battery pack lasts for a morning or an afternoon session before having to be recharged.
In Norwich they're restricted to within the inner ring road, but make an exception for City College on Newmarket Road.
A brief internet search throws up one manufacturer of cycle rickshaws, Bluebird Electric Rickshaws, but they look much more basic. The fibreglass machines in Norwich have a semi-recumbent pose for the pedaller, and a reasonable amount of protection from the weather.
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