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After brutally cracking down on Superman and Batman, Gotham cops have been inexplicably looking the other way on a rival superhero's antics. For the past month and a half, Spider-Man has been running around downtown and in Times Square with a rickshaw. But check out this crazy video: Spidey isn't just pulling a rickshaw, he's using it to propel himself through the air, off the sides of buildings, and parked cars!
This looks like a total blast, which, like most fun things, will not end well. Shaun Emerson, the 30-year-old Spidey in question, has a business card which describes himself as "The Guy That Does That Thing." His acrobatic routine was apparently so popular in Florida he decided to give it a try in NYC. But will the new pedicab laws set to take effect next month steal the web-slinger's thunder? Emerson tells City Room police have left him alone so far, and nobody's been hurt yet: "I think a guy threw up once, but that’s about it."
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AWESOME!!
my friends went on this late one night after we left a bar on 13th and A, and i thought spidey was going to rob them. i was afraid for their lives for a moment, but i guess i was afraid for nothing.
oh, AND he didn't even charge them!
Pretty awesome!
This guy is much closer to the real Spider Man than Toby McGuire will ever.
Rickshaw Spidey's alias? Peter Parkour.
heh. nice.
Would the pedicab regulations apply to rickshaws?
I can't believe that the cops don't crack down on this guy. Running out into traffic unexpectedly. Going the wrong way. Running down the sidewalk. Spinning around on the street. I bet the limo driver wasn't happy when he bounced his feet off the paint job.
Oh, and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a cease and desist order from Marvel's (or soon to be Disney's) lawyers.
let the guy do his thing. i can't believe cops dont crack down on more criminals. i would rather have this guy be an entrepreneur and provide a service than having to attract police resources who could be doing better things. he doesn't run into traffic unexpectedly (i've seen him in action), oooh running down the sidewalk is so scary! oh he's spinning, someone call swat! oh no, there's dirt on my car, 911! please! somebody help!
He doesn't suddenly run into traffic? You could have fooled me at 1:12. Spinning while stopped, mind you. I bet you wouldn't be as indulgent if he was doing that in front of your car or taxicab.
Trust me. His thing is finished. You want to run a rickshaw recklessly? Your choice, although you'll probably get a ticket for impeding traffic. Want to wear a Spider-Man costume? Again, your choice. But run a business while wearing a costume from a character copyrighted by Marvel and without paying royalties? Not a chance. It was stupid of him to draw attention like this.
I was somewhat ok with him running down the sidewalk since he took pains to make sure no one was coming. (But you really gotta be careful with that stuff -- I saw a pedicab driver once who decided that "traffic" just wasn't his thing, and went down a crowded sidewalk instead. He hit a lady from behind and knocked her down -- and nearly got the crap beaten out of him by a mob of people.)
And since traffic was stopped I was ok with the bouncing around in the street. As long as you're not impeding traffic or hurting anyone -- do your thing, man.
But bouncing off someone's car is a dick move and a mistake -- he shouldn't do that. Particularly if it's a limo or town car -- that's some guy's livelihood, and dents and scratches can hurt their business. So he should cut that shit out -- but he seems like a decent guy, so hopefully he will.
Looks like more fun for him than his passengers
That's pretty awesome, but it's all fun and games until somebody loses an eye. Or worse.
Take a closer look at the video. He doesn't touch the limo, his feet go over the top of it while he's already spinning.
to the authors:
second hand reporting has got to be the lamest tool ever!
Anyone interested in real reporting please contact nycfunrun@yahoo.com
just to clarify:
I have been doing this for over 7 years. i guess you could say i am a professional at what i do. when you are the best at something, it's gonna look crazy, or difficult or unbelievable to others. Its just like riding a bike for me.
Public safety is paramount, otherwise i could not have been doing this for 7+ years, now could i?
In that 7 years only one passenger has puked... from tequila shots.
Cabbies are my biggest fans! along with garbage collectors, pizza shop guys, and anyone else out late nights.
You see, there is a different atmosphere between the city folks of the daylife and people of the night. There is a camaraderie and spirit that flows through people when they are out on the streets, off the clock. I imagine most naysayers are the people who will never be up late enough to see New York at night or my shiny blue butt.
Of course i get a lot of strange looks when i first get on the block, but after the first ride, everyone is suddenly amazed. The two things i hear most are, "you are the real spider-man!" and "that was best thing i've done in a long time"
Since arriving to the city 2 months ago, i have been embraced by everyone everywhere. I have all kinds of people patting me on the back and giving me praise. Community leaders, shop owners, workers, tourists and especially locals. Just last night i was shaking hands with a NY da after a ride. It's just something you have to see and witness for yourself.
I a performance artist, i am an athlete, i am an entertainer and a professional. I am not nit-wit on a tricycle.
By the way, i never touched the limo, or any other cars. Your eyes fooled you.