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Perth & Kinross CouncilScott Taylor, Environmental Services Officer Perth & Kinross City Council contacted b-spokes in their quest for an eco-friendly way to transport Scotland in Bloom judges around their lovely floral displays, and show off their beautiful city at the same time. Their environmental services officer, Scott Taylor, realised he needed a bit of lateral thinking to deal with a 10-mile judging route, tricky one-way system, and just over an hour to fit it all in!
‘We wanted an energy-efficient way to show the judges around the city’, he explains. ‘Britain and Scotland in Bloom are no longer just about flowers – they’re also interested in community involvement, recycling, litter and other environmental issues. So it was important to get that message across.’
After looking into electric vehicles and tuctucs, they approached b-spokes.
‘We hired a small group of rickshaws to transport the judges, and also offer visitors free scenic rides through the park by the river Tay,’ says Scott. The riders were great - cool guys, really responsive to our customers, and they helped to promote our projects. ’
The rickshaws were sponsored by Beautiful Perth, a charity promoting sustainable transport initiatives, and Cittaslow, the European network of towns promoting quality of life and the slow food movement.
The cabs were kitted with sponsor logos and liveries which were still in place later in the year at Edinburgh Tattoo!
‘It’s been a great success,’ says Scott. ‘Perth is the first Scottish council to sign up to Cittaslow, and rickshaws are ideal for raising public awareness.’
So did they influence the judges? No comment! But environmental services are already looking ahead to a rickshaw presence at next year’s Perth 800 Festival, when the queen will be visiting the city. Maybe she’ll be persuaded to try a quick spin?
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