The Red and Black

Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: News

Media Credit: LINDY DUGGER Michael Hitchcock, 34, founder of the Dawg Pedaler rickshaw taxi service, has a laugh with his first official customer, Vince Dooley, the former University football coach and athletic director, before Hitchcock pedaled Dooley to Mama's Boy restaurant on Oak Street Wednesday. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: LINDY DUGGER Vince Dooley and Michael Hitchcock dine at Mama's Boy on Oak Street for lunch Wednesday. [Click to enlarge]

When former football coach and athletic director Vince Dooley passes Sanford Stadium on gamedays, he usually sees peddlers selling tickets.

On Wednesday Dooley passed Sanford Stadium with someone pedaling him around.

Dooley was the first passenger of Dawg Pedaler, a rickshaw business started by Michael Hitchcock. Dooley rode in the carriage pulled by Hitchcock's bicycle.

"This is the first one I've been on in the U.S.," he said as he stepped onto the base of the black cab.

The inaugural ride of "class, culture and charisma" began at 11:30 a.m. at the Rankin M. Smith Sr. Student-Athlete Academic Center as Hitchcock welcomed Dooley to his "petty cab."

Hitchcock originally wanted to begin a taxi business, but soon changed his mind when approached by locals, including Keith McNeely, director of the Athens-Clarke Country Human Economic Development Department.

The development gave him a $10,000 loan - part of the Athens Growth Fund to aid in starting small businesses.

Hitchcock and his rickshaw will stay within a one-mile radius of the Arch with rides starting at $5 per person from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. tentatively.

He said he will allow intoxicated people to ride wearing a seatbelt, but they cannot bring their drinks.

"It is very professional, and I think it's going to be a success," McNeely said.

Dooley said he enjoyed his ride Wednesday.

"It was great seeing the campus," Dooley said, adding he enjoyed taking the time to appreciate the environment.

Dooley's smiles and waves were familiar to many students as they eagerly pointed out his newest form of transportation.

The two ended their route at Mama's Boy on Oak Street, welcomed by Hitchcock's church members and city officials, including Athens Mayor Heidi Davison.

Davison said she thought the rickshaw business would be great for Athens because of the high concentration of tourists.

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