Pedicab driver stays cool in 100+ heat

By Kari Koshiol, Kenya Vance and Shannon Kuehmichel

Day and night, Ellar Lima bikes the blazing hot streets of downtown Phoenix toting people from baseball games or hotels to wherever they need to go, often providing colorful commentary and even restaurant recommendations.
   
Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Lima spends eight hours a day drumming up business for Bumble Bee Pedicab. He often works as late as 3 a.m. on weekends.

"I bike 30 miles a day, on the weekend it could be 50,"said Lima, though he jokes that he specializes in short trips. He alternates between two-hour rides and hour-long breaks to prevent fatigue.

Calling 98 degrees not too hot, he recommends water as the best way to beat the heat.

"One of the tips is to freeze your water bottle before you come outside," Lima said. "And then I fill up the drinks and they're automatically iced." Lima stores extra bottles of frozen water under the vinyl zebra print seat of the pedicab.

"I also have a mister," he said as he lifted up his shirt to reveal a sprayer clipped to his belt. With a few pumps, the mister was ready to go. Lima mists himself and his customers to keep cool.

He said it's simple to avoid overheating while he's pulling customers.

"Find the shady side of the street," Lima said.

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Ellar Lima of Bumble Bee Pedicab stops to drop off customers. (Photo by Kenya Vance)