Business Profiles in Sustainable Quality
Pedaler's Express (PedEx)
Pedaler's Express ("PedEx") exists to provide a reliable courier service at
competitive prices, while operating an environmentally-friendly, socially-conscious
business that is sustainable and non-polluting. PedEx's primary goal: "to advocate
the use of human-powered transportation."
PedEx was established in order to demonstrate resource conservation and waste
minimization. PedEx is a poignant and live demonstration that human power can accomplish
great things without harming the environment.
PedEx is a "functioning cooperative" built around promoting alternative
transportation and alternative business models, where each member has equal power, equal
pay, and as much responsibility as they can handle. Members are committed to the ideal
that it isn't necessary to pollute the environment to have a functional economy.
PedEx provides a rigorous "courtship" before new members are allowed to join as
equal partners, requiring a demonstration of their commitment not only to using human
power, but also to the cultural demands of participating in a social-mission business,
based on democratic process.
This separates the fence-sitters from the committed few, essentially weeding out those who
do not believe in their own power to make the PedEx "impossible dream" a
reality.
PedEx members act as promoters of human-powered, ecologically restorative, alternative
transportation services, thereby enacting its vision to "include more of the
community" as the business expands and more and more owners join in.
PedEx received the 1995 Sustainable Quality Award in the small business catagory for
having a unique model, and was selected by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation
Commission (SCCRTC) to receive the 1995 Transportation Award for employing bicycles
instead of motorized vehicles to transport cargo.
Through route-combining, resusing worn bicycle tires as bungie cords or donating them to a
kids' program, or assisting other environmental groups, PedEx members are both
conscientious and friendly, demonstrating a high degree of integrity ... in short, PedEx
truly delivers.
|