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I always believed that I, a lifelong Chicagoan, would never succumb to riding a pedicab. That is, until I had no choice but to during a gridlock on State Street—and it completely changed my perspective on them.
Chicago pedicabs, AKA cycle rickshaws, bike taxis or tuk-tuks, get a bad rap. A maximum of 200 pedicabs are allowed to operate each year. You can typically find them near major attractions like Millennium Park, Navy Pier, along the Lakefront Trail and around Museum Campus.
To most locals, the music-playing, Christmas-light-clad contraptions are seen as overpriced annoyances that scam tourists, take up space in bike lanes, and weave through pedestrian pathways at risky speeds. While there is a case to be made for staying away from them in some cases, pedicabs are officially licensed operators that can be a genuinely efficient—and fun—mode of transportation.
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Before you hop on, confirm the price and acceptable form of payment with the driver. Prices vary widely depending on distance, location, time of day and other factors like if a major event is happening. Use your best judgment to decide whether the price is right for you (hint: if there are multiple drivers around, ask a couple to find the best rate).
If you find yourself in one of the situations below, and if the price isn’t egregious, you might be in for a thrilling journey to or from your destination. Don’t be shy, swallow your pride, and enjoy the ride.
Leaving a concert at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
This concert venue offers sweeping views of the skyline and lake, thanks to its location on the man-made Northerly Island. But because there’s only one way on and off the island, getting out after a concert can be difficult. This is a great time to find a decent pedicab deal because drivers know the crowd of primarily locals won’t fall for exorbitant rates.
On the way to Soldier Field
Getting out after a Bears game or concert at Soldier Field can also be a mess, but getting there on time can be just as bad. It’s not uncommon for a standstill to form on Lake Shore Drive before a major event, so to get to the stadium on time, a pedicab may be the best—and, possibly, only—option.
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When streets are shut down
Major events like the NASCAR street race shut down entire blocks. When buses and rideshares are stuck in traffic, trains are delayed, and walking isn’t an option, this is an excellent excuse to hop on a pedicab and enjoy the ability to zip through traffic.
During a festival
Sometimes after a festival, you’re tired, your feet hurt, and you just want to go home. At the end of Lollapalooza, for example, when the headliners wrap and more than 100,000 people are flooding into the street at once, there’s very little chance you’ll secure a rideshare trip or that public transit will arrive on time (or have enough room on board). Pedicabs are aplenty after major festivals, but it’s also when demand is the highest, so beware of inflated prices.
Just because
Everyone should ride a pedicab at least once in their life. It’s pretty hard to deny that cruising through the city while listening to your song of choice isn’t a blast. Whether it’s for a birthday, holiday, or another special occasion, you won’t regret riding a pedicab through Chicago.