Bicycle Taxi Receipts Show Passengers Their CO2 Reduction Effect

Copyright VELOTAXI JAPAN

On April 21, 2008, the Ecological-Cities Promoting Association -- a non-profit organization promoting the use of a type of bicycle taxi in Japan called the Velotaxi -- started to print the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reduced on receipts for passengers in Tokyo and Kyoto. The calculation is based on a comparison of the Velotaxi with an ordinary automobile's emissions. With the commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol beginning, this is a new campaign to promote and encourage the achievement of Kyoto's goal.

First developed in Berlin in 1997, Velotaxis are now used in many cities in the world, not only as a complement to other means of transportation but also as a solution to problems associated with the environment, an aging society, the local economy, and employment.

During a Velotaxi ride, passengers can enjoy a sense of connection with the outer world, the cheerful atmosphere of the streets, the open air, and a sense of the season. With its advantage of being able to go through narrow lanes, it is also possible to design new sightseeing routes. Another feature of a Velotaxi ride is that it causes no pollution such as noise or exhaust emissions.

First launched in Japan by the association in Kyoto in 2002, Velotaxis are now operated in 22 cities (as of April 2008). Among them, there are three taxis in Kyoto and 17 in Tokyo equipped with a meter to calculate and print on the passenger receipt the amount of CO2 emissions reduced, together with the fare, based on the assumption that an ordinary automobile emits 230 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

http://www.velotaxi.jp/index.html
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Posted: 2008/08/17 12:12:13 PM