Ken Ott and his wife, Lulu Lin-Ott, are part of a generation of young Oaklanders who are trying to change one of the Bay Area’s most troubled and dangerous cities on their own terms.
Lulu wants to sell organic ice cream; Ken wants to drive electric pedicabs.
Ken’s dream of a more sustainable, livable Oakland from the saddle of his motorized rickshaw means he must confront the city’s challenges head on.
Recovered from a recent violent incident in January, Ken is back. And he’s expanding his business. One year into establishing Backseat Pedicabs, the city’s first regular pedicab service, Ken reports he is in the process of training two aspiring drivers to join him this May.
Ken is usually out during Art Murmer on the first Friday of every month, and Thursdays through Sundays each weekend. He works for tips. To keep track of his whereabouts and musings, visit his Twitter account at twitter.com/bakseet.