Royal Oak Offers Free Pedicab Service Downtown

ROYAL OAK, MI — There's a new way to get around downtown in Royal Oak and it's free.

The Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority (DDA) approved a resolution to fund a private pedicab service, Skoop, that will provide free rides in downtown during a free parking promotion running in the city. (Read about that parking promotion here).

Skoop currently operates a fleet of electric bike taxis in East Lansing and plans to bring a portion of their fleet to Royal Oak for the duration of the promotion.

Three pedicabs will operate in June on Thursdays from 5-11 p.m., Fridays from 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and then 6 p.m. to midnight, and finally Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. The fleet begins operating in downtown on June 6.

They are available to take pedestrians to and from the downtown parking garages and their destinations in downtown Royal Oak. The rides are completely free of charge, courtesy of the Royal Oak DDA.

"My team is super pumped to come to Royal Oak," said Josh Cooper, Skoop founder and CEO. "Skoop supports economic growth in so many ways. We're not just moving passengers but we are driving traffic to as many local businesses as possible with our unique marketing capabilities. We have the power to create an exciting culture."

Skoop also specializes in mobility advertising as a source of revenue. According to Skoop’s website, each vehicle has digital advertising displays attached to the exterior and interior. Its screens are always on the move displaying advertising content around town, subsidizing the cost of the ride for the passenger. Skoop is designed so that commuters will never have to worry about a walk being too far or a short ride being too expensive.