Written by: Jo Ann L.B. Duggins
Full Name: Andrew Katzander
Age: 45
Currently Residing: Upper West Side, NYC
Currently Listening to: Roxy Cottontail
What happens when you decide to take your friends to Cafe Lalo one nice afternoon to get some yummy desserts and coffee? Well, you run into a gentleman who sits on a bench eating delicious cookies and is interested in the Ducati jacket you are donning. What happens when two strangers engage in friendly conversation and share said cookies? You get one webzine discovering that the nonchalant conversation you are having is about to allow an interesting discovery and feature story.
This is the part I love. So, Andrew Katzander decided one day that he would take a plain ole rickshaw and build a platform with a pole replacing the seats. In turn, Katzander would then bike along the streets of New York while beautiful and talented ladies show off super strength and grace to the masses. Seems like a brilliant plan, no? It's almost as good as strip clubs in airports. Ok, nothing is that good. Andrew has devised something new...mobile entertainment. What's not to commend on a brilliant idea with a bold delivery. You never know what coffee and dessert might lead to.
You have created an interesting concept here, how did this all begin?
I got the idea while riding my bike past the Hustler Club on night last summer and the idea just hit me. The debut was last year's NYC Halloween Parade.
What are usually people's first reaction when they see Poleriders in action?
Their jaws drop and they scream or say "WTF" then they start frantically fumbling for their cameras and cells. Sometimes they run over waving money.
Do you ever get a real negative response to publicly displaying these girls and do people feel its inappropriate?
The vast majority of people are really juiced when they see us. Occasionally we get some idiot who makes a lewd comment and we have gotten a few looks of disgust but I'm fine with that. I'm pushing boundaries and not everyone is ready. A pedicab driver posted this comment regarding our appearance at Santacon with a Sexy Santa North Pole theme "This Pedicab Santa erotic and satanic exhibit is an insult to Christianity. This kind of people used to be hanged and or burned live. Curse on you both and burn in hell Inshallah." http://www.bikeblognyc.com/?p=3270 Not everyone appreciates 21st century entertainment.
Has there been any challenges to your entertainment?
I would say that there is a big physical challenge for both the dancer and rider. Aside from that just the usual challenges of starting a new business.
You are associated with Wheels for Life, can you tell our readers who they are and what they do?
Wheels4life brings bikes to people in serious need of transportation to get to work, school or medical care. In some cases a bike can enable something as basic as access to fresh water. The organization is run by former world champion mountain bike rider Hans Rey.
Where and how often are the performances? Who drives the bikes?
There is no set schedule and at the moment I am having too much fun to let anyone else ride. It would take a lot convince me to let someone else ride.
How many performers do you work with and how do you go about finding them?
I have a few dancers that I work with but lately Marlo has been the star performer. I want to start bringing in more visiting guest dancers.
Has there been any safety issues or mishaps during a performance?
I get kicked in the head pretty regularly and was nearly blinded by a stiletto once.
Is this artform being represented in other cities besides New York?
I am working on taking over the world.
Which dwarf from Snow White are you?
Dopey. Smoke me. For more on Poleriders:
Find out where they'll be next on Twitter.
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Full Name: Andrew Katzander
Age: 45
Currently Residing: Upper West Side, NYC
Currently Listening to: Roxy Cottontail
What happens when you decide to take your friends to Cafe Lalo one nice afternoon to get some yummy desserts and coffee? Well, you run into a gentleman who sits on a bench eating delicious cookies and is interested in the Ducati jacket you are donning. What happens when two strangers engage in friendly conversation and share said cookies? You get one webzine discovering that the nonchalant conversation you are having is about to allow an interesting discovery and feature story.
This is the part I love. So, Andrew Katzander decided one day that he would take a plain ole rickshaw and build a platform with a pole replacing the seats. In turn, Katzander would then bike along the streets of New York while beautiful and talented ladies show off super strength and grace to the masses. Seems like a brilliant plan, no? It's almost as good as strip clubs in airports. Ok, nothing is that good. Andrew has devised something new...mobile entertainment. What's not to commend on a brilliant idea with a bold delivery. You never know what coffee and dessert might lead to.
You have created an interesting concept here, how did this all begin?I got the idea while riding my bike past the Hustler Club on night last summer and the idea just hit me. The debut was last year's NYC Halloween Parade.
What are usually people's first reaction when they see Poleriders in action?
Their jaws drop and they scream or say "WTF" then they start frantically fumbling for their cameras and cells. Sometimes they run over waving money.
Do you ever get a real negative response to publicly displaying these girls and do people feel its inappropriate?
The vast majority of people are really juiced when they see us. Occasionally we get some idiot who makes a lewd comment and we have gotten a few looks of disgust but I'm fine with that. I'm pushing boundaries and not everyone is ready. A pedicab driver posted this comment regarding our appearance at Santacon with a Sexy Santa North Pole theme "This Pedicab Santa erotic and satanic exhibit is an insult to Christianity. This kind of people used to be hanged and or burned live. Curse on you both and burn in hell Inshallah." http://www.bikeblognyc.com/?p=3270 Not everyone appreciates 21st century entertainment.
Has there been any challenges to your entertainment?
I would say that there is a big physical challenge for both the dancer and rider. Aside from that just the usual challenges of starting a new business.
You are associated with Wheels for Life, can you tell our readers who they are and what they do? Wheels4life brings bikes to people in serious need of transportation to get to work, school or medical care. In some cases a bike can enable something as basic as access to fresh water. The organization is run by former world champion mountain bike rider Hans Rey.
Where and how often are the performances? Who drives the bikes?
There is no set schedule and at the moment I am having too much fun to let anyone else ride. It would take a lot convince me to let someone else ride.
How many performers do you work with and how do you go about finding them?
I have a few dancers that I work with but lately Marlo has been the star performer. I want to start bringing in more visiting guest dancers.
Has there been any safety issues or mishaps during a performance?
I get kicked in the head pretty regularly and was nearly blinded by a stiletto once.
Is this artform being represented in other cities besides New York?
I am working on taking over the world.
Which dwarf from Snow White are you?
Dopey. Smoke me. For more on Poleriders:
Find out where they'll be next on Twitter.
Back to Motions