Rickshaw Willie - August 2012

There are so many venues to visit in downtown Akron on any given Saturday night…and it has gotten a whole lot easier to get to these places! Just look for Rickshaw Willie on his pedicab! He’ll take you where you want to go. And it’s free! It’s important to mention that Rickshaw Willie gratefully accepts tips.

Rickshaw Willie is a common sight in downtown Akron. He has befriended the police, bar and restaurant owners, and countless others. It can be said that Rickshaw Willie has a heart of gold. It is common for Rickshaw Willie to offer rides to homeless individuals in need of transportation. He’ll take them to the library or wherever they need to go.

Through his pedicab service, Rickshaw Willie helps to promote Akron. He confesses that, “He’s always been a bit of a clown and enjoys entertaining others.” If you have had the opportunity to attend an Akron Aeros game, you may have seen Rickshaw Willie entertaining the crowds waiting to get into the stadium. He encourages everyone to join him in singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Rickshaw Willie and his pedicab are active in Akron events. A few years ago, he led the First Night Akron Parade. He has been in the Little League parade, the St. Patrick’s Day parade, and Akron’s own Christmas parade. Rickshaw Willie enjoys attending the Strides event every October, where individuals walk to raise money for breast cancer awareness. Rickshaw Willie follows the Stride walkers so that he is able to assist any walkers who may be having difficulties completing the walk, since breast cancer survivors currently going through treatment will sometimes choose to participate. Rickshaw Willie has offered his pedicab services to many brides and grooms on their special day. This service is free.

Since Rickshaw Willie is such an experienced cyclist on the Akron streets, he has advice to offer fellow cyclists. “It’s important that cyclists share the road” (in addition to motorists). He is quick to add, “As a cyclist, I’d rather be wrong than dead right.”

When Rickshaw Willie isn’t riding his pedicab or driving a truck, he lives in Norton with his wife, one of his two daughters, a dog, and a cat. There is more information about Rickshaw Willie on his website, www.rickshawwillie.com, or on Facebook under Rickshaw Willie. You can contact him at rickshawwillie@aol.com. As Rickshaw Willie likes to say, “Be green, be seen, be happy!” Rickshaw Willie’s nephew, Adam Bozak, wrote a 38 second song about his Uncle Rickshaw Willie. Hope you enjoy it!