A Movement was born out of a necessity for sustainable, community-driven solutions to transportation challenges faced by many in urban and rural environments. Our journey began when Steve Stollman, a visionary entrepreneur, started his first pedicab business, “Serious Transportation,” in New York City over 30 years ago. Steve’s experience in the pedicab industry opened his eyes to the myriad of opportunities for innovation within human-powered transport. He recognized that while pedicabs had primarily served as a tourist attraction, they could become a viable solution for daily commuting, cargo transport, and wheelchair accessibility. As he continued to design and construct new prototypes for the evolving transportation landscape, he was driven by the belief that local communities possess the creativity and resources to build their own solutions.

Since our inception, A Movement has been working to cultivate a growing network of makers, engineers, students, and changemakers from diverse backgrounds. We want to build a community of likeminded people who share a vision of transforming transportation in a way that enhances lives and protects our environment.

Our intention is to stimulate local pursuit of the benefits that exist within reach. The materials, skills, and technology necessary to develop innovative human-powered and electric-assist designs are available worldwide. Yet, historically, there has been little effort to maximize the potential of these technologies, particularly in less-developed regions. We recognize the importance of addressing these gaps, especially as small, powerful electric motors and lightweight lithium-ion batteries offer new opportunities for innovation.

By integrating the transport of people and goods—alongside accessible solutions for wheelchair users—we aim to alleviate the difficulties many face in their daily lives. Our movement acknowledges the small but growing proliferation of cargo bike designs that enhance functionality and comfort. However, we also see the need to modernize traditional designs like pedicabs, which have remained largely unchanged for over a century.

With our focus on community collaboration, we believe that artists, mechanics, and other local craftspeople can work together to reimagine public transport, inspiring collective, creative action. As we forge ahead, we invite you to join us in this journey. Together, we can innovate new people-moving solutions that not only address transportation challenges but also spark broader community engagement and improvement.

We recognize that the path to change is not without its challenges, particularly for those in the pedicab and cargo cycle industries, who often operate under stressful conditions and face significant barriers to progress. Our commitment is to bring these issues to the forefront of public discourse, fostering open and democratic conversations about the value of this industry and the necessity of improving working conditions for those who serve our communities.

At A Movement, we are excited to build a future where transportation is redefined through local ingenuity and collaboration. Join us as we create a world where every community has the tools and support they need to thrive.