Bike taxi rolls on to roads for first time

PASSENGERS will soon have have access to a motorbike taxi after authorities gave the green light to a new way of getting from A to B.

Stoke-based City Cabs 2000 hopes that two wheels will be better than four after becoming the only firm outside of London to provide the service.

Owners believe that the £12,000 private hire bike will go full throttle in beating congestion and cutting emissions.

They see it doubling-up as a quick courier service, a novelty for sightseeing passengers, or a speedy route through matchday traffic.

But bosses said that punters will not be able to hop on the back after an evening in the pub.

Driver Julian Kempson said: “It cuts out congestion for one thing, and it is better for the environment than a car running one person.

“I think it is going to attract either business people who need to be in a meeting at a certain time, or people who have never been on a motorcycle before who want to try it.

“Also, there are people who want to do a bit of sightseeing in North Wales or somewhere, who will pay for an hour or two. I will take them wherever they want to go.”

Motorcycle fanatic Julian, who has been riding bikes for 29 years, has been driving taxis for 16 years and has worked at City Cabs since last September.

The dad-of-one, from Leveson Road, Hanford, approached City Cabs bosses with the idea for the new service. He bought a Honda ST1300 Pan European just for the job and said he chose the bike due to its comfort.

The 45-year-old added: “I had the idea because I would rather ride my bike than drive a minibus. I approached City Cabs and said I wanted to try this, and they said it was fine by them, and had their operator's licence amended to suit.”

Julian, a qualified advanced rider, said that similar services had been operated in London by companies such as Richard Branson's Virgin for 25 years.

City Cabs base manager Tony Birks said that the service – which includes a helmet intercom between rider and passenger – would make the company more versatile.

The 58-year-old added: “Julian came to us with the idea and it was something that he had buzzing about in his crash hat for some time.

“It is another string to our bow, and there must be people out there who enjoy a motorcycle ride, even if it is just for a novelty.

“But there is also a practical side, in that we can offer a high-speed courier service for urgent documents.”

Managing director Parv Khan, aged 43, added: “It brings us from one passenger to cars, minibuses, 16-seaters, whatever – we can now cater for the whole lot.”

The licence means that the established firm, which has a 100-strong fleet, can operate the bike anywhere in the country.

City Cabs is awaiting delivery of safety equipment and high-visibility vests, and expects the service to be running shortly.

Dan Morrey, of Hanley-based Norman & Birch Bikes, said some police forces used ST1300s. He said: “It is a nice big comfortable bike with plenty of pillion space on the back.

“It seems a good idea. I can't really see if people in Stoke-on-Trent will go for it, but they must have done their homework.”

Councillor Joy Garner, chairman of the city council's Licensing And Registration Panel, said: “Mr Kempson is a licensed hackney carriage and private hire driver and I wish him and his business well.”

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