About Us

The origin of the ride.

Newburyport Pedicab was founded in 2007 by Blake Harris and Kevin Murphy. The two met ten years ago through the Big Brother/Big Sister Organization. After 10 years of “mentoring” Blake (with a lot of fun and games thrown in), Kevin decided that it was time to “kick him out of the nest” and let him spread his wings.

They both knew that Blake should have a summer job. Kevin figured, “might as well have him learn how to run a business while he’s at it.” No meager ambitions here.

And now for the business. What to do? Inspiration came from an unlikely source. Kevin has been riding in the Pan Mass Challenge (a whopping 200 miles) for years, raising money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. After riding with his sister on a tandem bike one year, Kevin joked that it might as well have been a rickshaw, since his sister was too busy snapping photos and gabbing to actually pedal. Yes...rickshaw...hum...

It didn’t take long for Kevin and Blake to connect the dots. Thus, Newburyport Pedicab was conceived. Blake has a summer job and learns how to run a business, and the company raises money for cancer research and treatment. In addition, Newburyport Pedicab provides eco-friendly transport to residents and visitors, free rides on the fly and hired rides for special events. A guaranteed good time will be had by all.

In 2008, Kevin took a vacation to Martha's Vineyard. Like a typical tourist, he arrived at the on-island ferry terminal with too many heavy bags and no sense of direction. Unfortunately, local cab drivers stationed at the terminal weren't interested in taking Kevin for the quick-jaunt to his hotel. As a result, the pedicab idea sparked again and Kevin and Blake put the gears in motion for the start of a second location on the island. In the winter of 2008, the two hired Will Pasquina, a then-current pedicab driver in Newburyport, and his brother, John Pasquina to manage the Martha's Vineyard operation in Oak Bluffs. Thanks to generous sponsors and support from the Martha's Vineyard community, Vineyard Pedicab launched in the summer of 2009. With four new pedicabs in the Vineyard town of Oak Bluffs, we're able to better serve our mission of helping to fund cancer research with contributions to the Pan-Mass Challenge while providing free eco-friendly transportation to both Martha's Vineyard residents and visitors like Kevin.

Get in on the fun. Go for a ride! Call 978-225-0009.