Sheffield city is on the up. Some call it poorly planned gentrification, others progress. Does this mean renewed investment in physically deteriorating locales, reductions in crime rates, increased property values and renewed community activism? As an avid cyclist I know what I'd like to see; better cycle networks, bike lockers and bike-parks, and preferably a car-free city centre, but I don't believe we'll see that for many years if ever.

Some people say that poorer folk in Sheffield will not benefit from this urban renewal, only seeing the increase in rents, often forcing the closure of businesses and dispersal of old communities, whose members find that they can no longer afford to rent in their home neighbourhoods.

Whatever your opinion, it’s difficult to ignore the huge changes happening to our city. What I see is that Sheffield now proudly boasts:

1 newly renovated Train Station
9 major Hotels, countless Motels and B&B’s
4 large Cinema complexes
6 Concert Hall or Music venues
Numerous Restaurant & Bar districts such as West Street and Ecclesall Road
2 Theatres, including the Crucible Theatre (plus many smaller theatres)
11 Sports venues, which includes 2 Football grounds and a Ski Village
4 Hospitals, including a Dental teaching hospital
70 Allotment sites spread across the city
7 Shopping districts, of which Meadow Hall is one of the largest in the UK
2 Universities and a number of Student villages
Over a dozen Museums and Art Spaces, not to mention the 12,524 hectares of green-space.

Over the past week or so, our members have been trying to establish exactly what we'd like to achieve with Vert-i-go here in the city.

Obviously, we’d love to be riding on bikes and trikes, spending all day outdoors, meeting new people, and getting paid a large wedge for our efforts, whilst generating environmental awareness. But, how much of this is achievable in reality? We decided to set down in writing our aims and objectives.

The objects for which the Vert-i-go Co-operative is established are:

(a) To provide short-journey human-powered transport services and networking opportunities.

(b) To encourage Members and the public to explore ecologically sustainable ways of thinking, living and interacting in Sheffield.

(c) To promote the use of human powered vehicles, and act as a platform for consumers, businesses and the market place to interface.

(d) To foster and support the principles and concept of co-operation in its own affairs and in industry and commerce generally, to support the Co-operative Movement, and to educate its’ Members in co-operative principles and management practices.

Basically, we want to promote human powered vehicles as a sustainable alternative to the car. In the words of John Howard “The bicycle is a curious vehicle. Its passenger is its engine”. For me, that has to be the very crux of the matter. If I eat well, sleep enough and drink plenty of water, I will be able to ride for longer and to further distances.

Not everyone can ride a bike, and 2 wheels are not always suitable for all everyday activities, for example, what if you need to move large amounts of shopping from the market or paperwork from the office? Then maybe a trike, bike & trailer or hired pedicab taxi would be more suitable.

Let us be your engine, allow us to power you around the city via pedicab. Remember those days when your best mate used to offer you a ‘backy’ home (or some call ‘em a pillion) or to the shops, can you remember how you felt?

The last word (as always) is left to someone more eloquent and learned than myself.

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man’s convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man’s brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle”. ~ Elizabeth West, Hovel in the Hills

In your opinion, what do you think is the best feature of Sheffield? Tell me what excites you about Sheffield old and new. Would you like to see a rickshaw style taxi service here in Sheffield? I’d love to read your views.
 http://vert-i-go.co.uk/