China Olympics Soccer Dad Rickshaw
With the high cost of gas these days, my kids and I are looking for alternative ways to get around. They already walk, bike, or skateboard to school, with a backpack for supplies. I already take quick trips to the grocery on my beach cruiser with its handlebar basket. But what about soccer and lacrosse practice? Often, those are held at schools or parks too far away for my kids to go on their own. Already we carpool, but we could do more.
The China Olympics have inspired a brilliant solution – a rickshaw!
Think about it. I already like to run, and pulling them to practice would help me get a workout in. And a rickshaw would provide a few hidden benefits.
Lacrosse, for instance, has so much equipment – chest pad, elbow pads, gloves, stick, helmet, cleats – my son sometimes needs a few extra minutes to get ready. He and his friend could get geared up in the back of the rickshaw while I roll them through suburban streets, arriving at practice right on time.
And my daughter and her friend could do some great pre-practice stretching before soccer. Okay, they’d probably just lounge. Whatever. I’m on a roll here (pun intended. Can I get rim-shot?)
I could even start my own soccer dad rickshaw service and transport other neighbor kids to their after-school activities. Piano lessons, softball practice, karate class. I could recruit other runners and create an entire fleet. Think of the minivans we’d get off the road. We’d lower the carbon footprint for our whole soccer-loving town.
My kids think I’m crazy. There aren’t any rickshaws here, we’d have to build our own. The novelty would soon wear off. They can’t imagine I’d actually pull them to more than a practice or two. And there were sure to be insurance costs.
Maybe they’re right, the China Olympics have simply gone to my head. Plus, my kids argue, the carbon footprint wouldn’t actually shrink, it would grow. After all, when I got home from pulling them to practice I’d be so hot, I’d crank the AC.
Hey kids. Can I borrow some of your allowance for gas? I need to drive you to practice.
- Way Beyond Soccer Dad
- Investment Advice from a Sixth Grader
- My Teenage Daughter is a Fast Girl
- I Have a Confession
- Giving Back Starts Young, a Dad’s House nationally syndicated post
- Track Season is for Lovers
- Dog Days of Summer
- I Love Raising Teens
- A Single Mom and Her Super Cute Daughter
| 
Subscribe | © 2008-2010 David Mott, DadsHouseBlog.com. All rights reserved.
Comment by Tonya
| August 1st, 2008
That’s freakin’ hilarious. What a great idea! When you do this, take pics… I want to see!!!
Of course, that is if your children will be seen with you after that. ;)
I’m looking forward to the Olympics too!
Comment by lisaq
| August 1st, 2008
Haha…maybe you should just rig up a wagon and pull it behind your beach cruiser! :)
Comment by pajama momma
| August 1st, 2008
I know this post had something to do with a rickshaw, but I can’t get my mind off your handlebar basket.
It’s white with a flower on the front isn’t it?
Comment by Single Mom in New England
| August 1st, 2008
Or put inline skates on to pull it faster after you buy the bags the kids will want to put over their heads for embarrassment! Thanks for the laugh this hot Friday, the first day of August – where did July go??????????????
Comment by TentCamper
| August 1st, 2008
Tell me about it brotha! this gas thing is killing me. we have 3 kids that all need rides to their sports and weekend activities and our eldest, who now drives…always wants to take the car out with her friends.
Do the rickshaw…if it works…I’ll do oe here….a franchise.
Comment by The Exception
| August 1st, 2008
Would a bicycle built for two work? You could put the gear in a little cart pulled along behind?
The visual on this post was great!
Comment by katherine.
| August 1st, 2008
would it qualify for the diamond lane?
Comment by laurakim123
| August 2nd, 2008
Thats a cool idea! We have them here – well in Durban and are mainly for the tourists but I suppose not only would you save money but also get a workout!
Comment by Lia
| August 2nd, 2008
I agree with Pajama Momma, I have this picture of you in my head on a bike with a white basket and flowers!
Comment by dadshouse
| August 2nd, 2008
You guys forgot the streamers in the handlebars! Hahaha.
fyi – my beach cruiser has a bottle opener built into the frame. Does your road or mountain bike have that? I think not!
Comment by mama llama
| August 3rd, 2008
Bottle opener, eh? You think of everything.
The idea greatly appeals to my “green” side. Less gas, more exercise–gee, we could save the world yet.
Be well.
Comment by pajama momma
| August 3rd, 2008
Does your road or mountain bike have that?
You’re asking me if mine has a bottle opener? Ninja please. My mountain bike is well equipped.
Comment by Susan
| August 4th, 2008
Well, don’t forget the big horn to go alongside the plastic basket either! Brilliant idea, DH. You might even bring new meaning to “picking up women”! ;)
Comment by pajama momma
| August 5th, 2008
Well, don’t forget the big horn to go alongside the plastic basket either!
hahahahaha, I picture those horns that have bulbous red honkers that look like a clown nose. HONK! HONK! Oh this image is killing me, sorry dad
Comment by Daisy
| August 6th, 2008
Why not? It’s just a larger version of the parents pushing strollers around town. :)
Comment by jlin
| August 26th, 2008
I work with the Alliance to Save Energy who has launched the Drive $marter Challenge website full of money-saving gas tips in response to high gas prices. I wanted to commend you on the great job you are doing with the carpooling and biking to the grocery store. You’ve already followed some of the tips we suggest, check out http://www.drivesmarterchallenge.org, there might be some driving behavior or car maintenance tips for you there. Good job!