David Thorin is an MSU alumnus and the owner of Spar-Thai, and he said the response to the service has been outstanding.

“We opened up on May 5, and we were busy,” Thorin said. “It was a perfect storm. Cinco de Mayo is a party atmosphere and people were going wild on these bikes.”

Thorin got the idea for the business after visiting Thailand and seeing what they call tuk-tuks.
Spar-Thai currently owns 12 pedicabs and this past weekend sent six bikes out to cover the East Lansing Art Festival with all drivers coming back profitable, Thorin said.

Human biology sophomore Tim Bazil said pedicabs offer a unique opportunity to experience and appreciate the weather and scenery of the campus.

“In this kind of weather, people want to be outside and not take the bus but don’t want to walk, so I think it could work,” he said.

Each ride costs $1 with an additional $2.50 charge per passenger, and patrons.

Tom Schafer owns College Cab and doesn’t think the new pedicab company will have much effect on his business.

“It might have a little, small impact,” Schafer said. “But I don’t think they can haul enough people where it would make a major impact.”

Although adding a pedicab to his business has occurred to him, Schafer said the safety concerns aren’t worth the risk.

“It’s crossed my mind, but I feel like the hiring process would be a little bit difficult, and I don’t think they’re safe, honestly,” he said.

Spar-Thai has addressed the safety concerns by equipping their bikes with headlights, seat belts and reflective yellow safety shirts for the drivers, Thorin said.

Spanish and political science junior Emily Kieliszewski doesn’t think safety is a problem for pedicabs and appreciates the bikes being environmentally friendly.

“If I can ride around in a car, I can ride around on the back of a bicycle,” Kieliszewski said. “They’re great because they’re green, for one, and they look like a lot of fun.”