The Ecocabs weren't hard to spot as they trundled about Dublin yesterday - but they could be hard to catch.
So busy were they on their debut, that a mid-afternoon hunt through their pick-up points turned up none of the distinctive, wheel-powered cabs which look like a result of a one-night-stand between a bicycle and a Sinclair C5.
Their livery might be red, white and yellow, but they are trumpeted as being green all over. Emission-free, they combine pedal-power with a self-charging electronic engine. Funded by the Government and private sponsors, they are free to use and operate from five pick-up points within the city centre.
Four of those are on the southside. Once again, northsiders can complain of an imbalance in public transport infrastructure.
Just as it seemed necessary to resort to a more traditional form of emission-free transport - walking - an Ecocab emerged through the College Green traffic. Powered by Niall Cahill, a student from Dublin, it became apparent that it is not a mode of transport for the self-conscious.
"You stand out, alright," yelled Niall above the roar of the buses.
From every angle, people stared. There was even a shout of "go on, yeah boy ya"! But Niall had been busy, with a mixture of locals and tourists, all of whom wanted to take advantage of a service that will take people anywhere within 1.5km of the GPO.
It takes a bit of effort to get it up and running and after his day in the saddle, Niall reckoned he'd be hurting tomorrow. "It's like riding a bike, really," he shouted.
