Fife entrepreneur Tyrone Reekie had a novel idea to boost Kirkcaldy’s tourism – to run rickshaw rides along the waterfront. Gayle goes for a spin.
Cruising along Kirkcaldy’s promenade with the wind in my hair, I wave to passers-by from the comfort of the rickshaw’s carriage.
I have to admit, I feel rather special – a bit like royalty!
I’m one of the first people to enjoy a trip in one of Reekie’s Rickshaws, the brainchild of Tyrone Reekie.
They’re pretty eye-catching modes of transport, painted bright yellow with colourful images of historic Links Market and sporting psychedelic black and white wheels.
Although they’re more often associated with big cities like New York, London or Edinburgh, Tyrone, 46, is confident Kirkcaldy is geared up for the bicycle-drawn vehicles.
Certainly, it’s a novel experience and one that Kirkcaldy – with its sweeping views across the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh and the distinctive peak of Arthur’s Seat in the distance – definitely deserves.
Whether tourists come flocking remains to be seen, but it’s a nice idea and I can vouch for the fact it’s a lovely experience.
The sun isn’t shining while I’m being ferried a mile along the waterfront by Danny Bentham, but it doesn’t matter as a tartan blanket is covering my knees and I’m sheltered by a tarpaulin roof.
I know very little about Kirkcaldy but Tyrone, who sits beside me, regales me with tales galore, from the town’s famous sons like Adam Smith and Gordon Brown to King’s Theatre and Links Market, which has a history of more than 700 years in the town.
Tyrone, who runs a roofing business, plans to operate his six rickshaws daily, from 7am to 10pm all year round, although it will be weather-permitting.
They take passengers a mile along the prom at a snail’s pace, allowing you to drink in the sights, sounds and smells of the seafront.
It’s more of a cruise than a speed ride, as you might find in the likes of India, or even Edinburgh on a Friday night.
I’m dying for a go at being the “driver” and Danny is happy to oblige.
At first I veer perilously to the left, while turning is nigh on impossible.
After a while I get the hang of it but I’m more than happy to let someone a bit more experienced take back the handlebars.
While Tyrone expects visitors to travel far and wide to enjoy the rides, few will have travelled as great a distance as the rickshaws themselves.
“I was on holiday in Manhattan and I got speaking to a guy in a pedicab (another term for a rickshaw) and thought it’d be a great idea for Kirkcaldy’s promenade,” he says.
“I got six rickshaws shipped over and refurbished them. They’re really colourful now and folk love them.”
The business will create six jobs and, as well as providing rides up and down the prom for £5 a head (or £2.50 per child), will also incorporate a new coffee stop on the waterfront.
“I don’t expect to make money but if it encourages people to use the prom and brings people to Kirkcaldy, that’s a good enough reason,” he says.
It’s been Tyrone’s dream for decades and if it proves a success, he’s keen to get working on bigger ambitions for the area.
“I hope the rickshaws kick-start the rejuvenation of the prom. I see it as a great adventure! The next thing I want to do is create a pier and I’m going to start a petition shortly for that,” he says.
“I’d also like to run boat trips to Inchkeith Island.”
Clearly Tyrone, who has three kids and fosters another four youngsters, has big ideas. I wish him the very best of luck.
info
Reekie’s Rickshaws offer rides up and down Kirkcaldy’s promenade for £5 a head. For an additional donation, drivers/riders will offer guided tourism, giving visitors information about the heritage and history of the area. This will be given to the King’s Theatre appeal to help bring live entertainment back to the town centre.
See www.facebook.com/ReekiesRickshaws
