I was contacted by Alex Jacobs of Badger Pedicab located in Madison, Wisconsin.  He asked for help notifying others in the pedicab community that his RED Organic Engines pedicab was stolen.

Alex Jacobs can be contacted in the following ways:

Phone: 1-608-320-0696

Email: alexanderjacobsii@gmail.com

His pedicab looks like the one in the photos below:

The pedicab was stolen from the front of the Open Pantry convenience store located at 1401 Regent Street, Madison, WI‎ near the corner of Regent ST. and Randall AVE. in Madison, Wisconsin in the early AM hours of  Sunday April 25th, 2010.

The local news did a story on the theft of his pedicab.   Links to the story and a video is found below.

http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/92137704.html

http://www.nbc15.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=4735243&flvUri=&partnerclipid=

Alex also sent out a flier about his stolen pedicab.  Download the flier here: Stolen Organic Engines pedicab.

Alex is offering a $100 dollar reward for the return of the pedicab.

Non-Violent Taekwondo Troopers

Yep, this is way off topic for a pedicabbing website / blog.  Enjoy.

This is an excerpt from the PBS documentry “Off the Charts” the full version of which can be found here:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOqn-I5u1MY 

Tom Sachs of New York City has created a fully weaponized waffle making bike.  I think the two passengers are not as comfortable as they could be.  I doubt that configuring this device as a trike would make any one more comfortable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-aKtmAfeRg

Ron Swafford produced a movie about pedicab life in Austin, Texas.  It’s a great flick and especially good considering it is his first film.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivW0_AaRY68

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Im-x9Ze8sA

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceEl5VvfhTk

Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI9SQKRHRow

The new Arlington pedicab (and NEV) ordinance is posted on the city website under the December 15 evening meeting agenda.  The key attachments are at the back of the massive document, starting on page 389.  Here’s the link to download the (large, 48.3 MB) pdf:

http://www.arlingtontx.gov/citycouncil/pdf/agenda_evening_121509_full.pdf

It looks like pedicabs will be heavily regulated and capped at 40.  Somewhere in the verbiage there is mention of a January 15 deadline for permits.

Regulations include construction:

Section 10.27 Condition and Construction of Pedicabs:
A. The pedicab must be a Delta-style construction, meaning the wheels are held
together by single steel frame and the distance between each wheel remains
constant while turning.

B. The passenger seating area of the pedicab must NOT be attached by means of a
trailer; i.e., a regular two-wheeled bicycle with a trailer attached to tow
passengers will not be allowed.

C. The certificate holder shall keep its equipment in a neat, clean, operable and safe
condition with state and federal laws, attractive to the general public.

D. The certificate holder shall identify each pedicab vehicle with the name of the
entity holding the operating authority and the unit number of each vehicle located
on the rear of the vehicles; such letters and numbers shall be at least two (2)
inches high.

E. The certificate holder or driver shall, at all times, provide and maintain in good
operating condition the following items and equipment for each pedicab vehicle:
1. Head lights;
2. Tail lights;
3. A braking system;
4. Rubber on all wheels;
5. A slow moving vehicle sign attached to the rear of the vehicle;
6. Evidence of insurance;
7. Inspection certificate;
8. Safety helmet;
9. Seat belts.

Scott Cannon was interviewed for a little news blurb regarding the cold weather that pedicab drivers and the rest of  central Texas has been experiencing lately.  Have a look over here:

http://www.kvue.com/news/The-Threat-Of-Subfreezing-Temperatures-Doesnt-Deter-Central-Texans-From-Outdoor-Events-78571842.html

Go Scott!

http://www.kvue.com/news/green/stories/081709kvue_golf_cart_guy-cb.ed7c9831.html

I am hoping that the next time around that Chris Nielsen will not put the cart before the horse.  I’d like to see him get permission for his drivers to accept paying fares before he puts his golf carts back on the street and expects his drivers to pay him rent on the vehicles.  Unfortunatly each of his driver face $4000 worth of fines because Chris Nielsen insisted on engaging in his illegal enterprise.

As usual the comments section of the article linked above has lots of banter between folks who claim to be Mr Nielsen, pedicabbers, cops, city employees, and Chris’s fare paying customers.

I want to say thank you to Ray Pagan, Bobby Lintel, and Matt Chimes for recovering the missing pedicab and helping to get it returned to me.

Ray saw the fliers that I posted in the area where the pedicab was stolen.  He was able to get it back apparently undamaged.  Bobby picked it up from Ray, and Matt will soon be getting it back on it’s way to Austin.   With the help of a random stranger and some good friends “powder blue” will be back working in Austin soon.

Starsky has very good customer relations skills.

The following information was found at the City of San Diego’s website here:

http://dockets.sandiego.gov/sirepub/agdocs.aspx?doctype=agenda&itemid=28256

The complete report and ordinance changes can be found in the follow .pdf document. (It’s very large and long 4.6mb)

Amendments to San Diego pedicab regulation ordinance 7-28-2009

The City of San Diego gave the following summery to describe the changes in the pedicab ordinance:

This ordinance makes changes to the City of San Diego’s law regulating pedicabs. It
contains amendments pertaining to procedures and standards for obtaining permits. It clarifies
that a valid pennit is required to operate a pedicab, and adds a provision invalidating an
operating permit if it is altered, defaced, forged, or counterfeited. It modifies the requirement of a
valid driver’s license to require a valid form of Government or State issued photo identification.

This ordinance amends the list of equipment that must be installed on a pedicab to include
seatbelts and a unique, nontransferable identification number. It also adds regulations specifying
the size, fonnat, and location of the required fare schedule.

The ordinance adds prohibitions as to where pedicabs may be parked, stopped or left
standing, and creates Restricted Pedicab Zones within which the number of pedicab decals issued
may be restricted.

The ordinance consolidates the grounds for the denial, suspension or revocation of
operating permits or decals into one section, clarifies the procedures for notifying pedicab
owners or operators of action by the City regarding the denial, suspension or revocation of an
operating permit or decal, and adds additional pre-deprivation procedures regarding the
suspension or revocation of an operating permit or decal.

The ordinance also contains minor amendments to conform this division to modem
Municipal Code conventions.

This ordinance contains a notice that a full reading of the ordinance is dispensed with
prior to its passage, since a written copy will be made available to the City Council and the
public prior to the day of its passage.

This ordinance shall take effect and be in force on the thirtieth day from and after its final
passage.

A complete copy of the ordinance is available for inspection in the Office of the City Clerk,
City of San Diego, 2nd Floor, City Administration Building, 202 C Street, San Diego, CA 92101.

The following  was taken from the NYC city council website and can be found here:

http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=452683&GUID=82826507-4706-4F0E-BBAE-D02BE21852BC&Search=&Options=

Int. No. 1031-A

By the Speaker (Council Member Quinn) and Council Members Garodnick, Jackson, Gennaro, Koppell, Lappin, Recchia Jr., Stewart, Vallone Jr., White Jr., Gerson, Nelson and Mitchell

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to licensing of pedicabs.

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section 1.   Section 20-249 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 19 for the year 2007, is amended by adding a new subdivision j to read as follows:

j.  ”Registration plate” shall mean a unique identification tag issued by the commissioner pursuant to section 20-255.

§2.  Subdivision c of section 20-250 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 19 for the year 2007, is amended to read as follows:

c.  A pedicab business license shall be valid for a term of one year, except that business licenses issued prior to November 1, 2010 shall expire on November 1, 2010.   There shall be an annual fee of one hundred and ten dollars for such license that shall include the fee for registration, required by section 20-255, of one pedicab.  The registration fee for each additional pedicab shall be sixty dollars.  The annual fee may be pro-rated by the commissioner for the initial license period.   

§3.  Section 20-250 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new subdivision e to read as follows:

e.  The commissioner shall have the authority to deny or revoke a pedicab business license if a pedicab owner fails to obtain the registration plates required pursuant to section 20-255 for the pedicab(s) identified on the list submitted by such owner pursuant to paragraph 1  of subdivision b of this section.

§4.  Title 20 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 20-251 to read as follows:

§20-251   Applications for, and issuance of, registration plates.  a.  The commissioner shall commence accepting applications for registration plates, pursuant to section 20-255, on the fortieth day after enactment of the local law that added this section, and shall continue accepting applications for sixty consecutive days following such commencement.  During such sixty day period, persons submitting applications for registration plates shall also submit applications for pedicab business licenses pursuant to section 20-252.

b.  The department has the authority to inspect pedicabs to determine whether the pedicabs are equipped with the features set forth in subdivision a of section 20-254 and comply with the requirement set forth in subdivision b of section 20-254.  

c.  The commissioner shall issue registration plates only to a pedicab owner who has submitted the materials required by subdivision b of section 20-250 to obtain, amend or renew a pedicab business license or to a pedicab owner who has already obtained a pedicab business license.

d.  The commissioner shall not issue registration plates to more than thirty pedicabs for any pedicab business.  No pedicab business or pedicab owner shall hold more than thirty registration plates at any one time.  A pedicab business shall be deemed to have more than thirty registration plates if:

(1)  an owner of such pedicab business has a direct or indirect beneficial interest in one or more other pedicab businesses and the businesses together have more than thirty pedicab registration plates;   

(2)  a family member of the owner of such business has a direct or indirect beneficial interest in one or more other pedicab businesses and the businesses together have more than thirty registration plates;

(3)  a person who has a direct or indirect beneficial interest in such pedicab business has a direct or indirect beneficial interest in one or more other pedicab businesses and the businesses together have more than thirty registration plates; or

(4)  a family member of a person who has a direct or indirect beneficial interest in such pedicab business has a direct or indirect beneficial interest in one or more other pedicab businesses and the businesses together have more than thirty registration plates.

e.  The commissioner shall issue registration plates only to a pedicab business or owner with respect to pedicabs listed and identified in accordance with paragraph 1 of subdivision b of section 20-250 on the application of such business or owner for a pedicab business license.

f.  A pedicab registration plate shall become void upon the revocation or suspension of the pedicab owner’s pedicab business license.

§5.  The heading and subdivision a of section 20-255 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 19 for the year 2007, is amended to read as follows:

§20-255  Inspection; [pedicab] registration plate.

a.  It shall be unlawful for a pedicab business to operate or authorize the operation of, or for a pedicab driver to operate, a pedicab unless:

1.  it has been inspected by the department;

2.  it has been issued a registration plate that indicates on such plate[, or by a  

replaceable registration tag or decal,] the expiration date of the current registration; and

3.   such registration is in effect.

§6.  Subdivisions b, c, e, and f of section 20-255 the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 19 for the year 2007, are amended, subdivision g of such section is relettered as subdivision f and as so relettered is amended, and a new subdivision g is added to such section, to read as follows:  

b. The registration shall be valid for a period no longer than one year and the expiration date of such registration plate [or replaceable registration tag or decal] shall be a date specified by the commissioner by rule, except that the registrations issued prior to November 1, 2010 shall expire on November 1, 2010.

c.  If the commissioner determines after such inspection that a pedicab is equipped with the features set forth in subdivision a of section 20-254, and complies with the requirement set forth in subdivision b of section 20-254, upon payment of the registration fee provided by section 20-250 of this subchapter, the department shall issue a registration plate [or replaceable registration tag or decal] to the pedicab business that [leased or otherwise] authorized the operation of such pedicab.

e.  [The registration plate may, in the discretion of the commissioner, be of a permanent nature with a replaceable registration tag or decal attached thereto, indicating the expiration date of the current registration tag or decal.

f.]  The registration plate [and the replaceable registration tag or decal] shall be of such material, form, design, and dimension and set forth such distinguishing number or other identification marks as the commissioner shall prescribe.

[g] f.  A pedicab business shall pay an additional fifty-five dollars as the re-inspection fee for any pedicab that fails to appear at an inspection scheduled by the department or that is determined upon inspection not to meet the requirements of this section and such business re-applies for a registration plate [or replaceable registration tag or decal]. The commissioner shall also have the authority to determine the circumstances under which reinspections of pedicabs shall be permitted.

g.  It shall be unlawful for a person to whom a registration plate has been issued to transfer any interest in such plate to any other person unless:

1.  the pedicab, if intended to be transferred with the registration plate, complies with all applicable requirements imposed by this subchapter;

2.  such transfer will not result in a violation of subdivision d of section 20-251; and

3.  the commissioner approves such transfer.  

§7.  Subdivision d of section 20-257 of the administration code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 19 for the year 2007, is amended to read as follows:

d.  To be eligible for or to maintain a pedicab driver license, an applicant or licensee shall:

1.  be at least eighteen years of age;

2.  possess a currently valid motor vehicle driver’s license that is in full force and effect;

3.  not have his or her [New York State] motor vehicle driver’s license suspended or revoked; and

4.  meet such fitness requirements as the commissioner may determine by rule.  

§8.  Section 20-257 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new subdivision g to read as follows:

g.  Service of a violation, and any related notices, on a pedicab driver shall constitute service on the pedicab business that authorized the operation of such pedicab by virtue of employment, lease, or any other arrangement and shall afford the pedicab business the opportunity to participate in any hearing held on such violation.

§9.  Paragraph 3 of subdivision b of section 20-259 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 19 for the year 2007, is amended  to read as follows:

3.  operate a pedicab on any bridge or in any tunnel or in any bicycle lane, or within any pedestrian plaza.  For purposes of this section “pedestrian plaza” shall mean an area designated by the New York city department of transportation for use by pedestrians located fully within the bed of a roadway, which may vary in size and shape; may abut a sidewalk; may be at the same level as the roadway or raised above the level of the roadway; may be physically separated from the roadway by curbing, bollards, or other barrier; may be treated with special markings and materials; and may contain benches, tables or other facilities for pedestrian use.

§10.  Section 20-259 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding new subdivisions h and i to read as follows:

h.  A pedicab business shall design and implement policies and procedures to train all pedicab drivers that operate any pedicabs owned by such pedicab business of the obligation to follow all provisions of state and local law governing the operation of a bicycle, as described in subdivision a of this section, and shall require such drivers to provide a copy of any summons, complaint, or notice of violation of any law or regulation received while operating a pedicab to such pedicab business, as well as a copy of the disposition of such summons, complaint or notice of violation to such pedicab business, within five business days of such drivers’ receipt of such documents.  It shall be unlawful for a pedicab business to fail to train pedicab drivers to ensure compliance with such requirements.

i.  A pedicab driver who is arrested, or who receives a summons or complaint for a traffic-related offense or other notice of violation of any law or regulation,while operating a pedicab, shall provide a copy of the record of such arrest or a copy of such summons, complaint or notice of violation to the pedicab business to which such pedicab is registered within five business days of such driver’s receipt of such documents.  A pedicab driver shall also provide a copy of the disposition of such arrest, summons, complaint, or notice of violation to such pedicab business within five days of receipt of such disposition.   It shall be unlawful for a pedicab driver to fail to provide any of these documents to the pedicab business.

§11.  Paragraph 3 of subdivision a of section 20-261 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 19 for the year 2007, is amended to read as follows:

3.  the operation of a pedicab, owned by the pedicab business, that has not been inspected or that does not have affixed to it a registration plate [or replaceable registration tag or decal] as required by section 20-255 of this subchapter; or

§12.  Paragraph 2 of subdivision c of section 20-261 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 19 for the year 2007, is amended to read as follows:

2.  the operation of a pedicab that has not been inspected or that does not have affixed to it a registration plate [or replaceable registration tag or decal] as required by section 20-255 of this subchapter; or

§13.  Subdivisions e and f of section 20-261 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 19 for the year 2007, are amended, and a new subdivision h is added, to read as follows:

e.  Any [pedicab business that has been found, or] pedicab driver who has been found, to have committed [at least three violations of this subchapter] one violation of paragraph 7 of subdivision b of section 20-259 within any twelve-month period shall have [its,] his or her license suspended by the commissioner for a period of not less than three months.   Any pedicab driver who has been found to have committed one violation of paragraph 6 of subdivision b of section 20-259 within any twelve-month period shall have his or her license revoked by the commissioner.  [For purposes of this subdivision only, all violations committed on any one day shall constitute a single violation.]

f.  [Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision e of this section, any] Any pedicab business that has been found[, or pedicab driver who has been found, to have committed at least five violations of this subchapter] to have been in violation of section 20-255 at least one time within any twelve month period shall have its[, his or her] business license [revoked] suspended by the commissioner for a period of not less than one month.  Any pedicab business that has been found to have been in violation of section 20-255 at least three times within any twelve month period shall have its business license suspended by the commissioner for a period of not less than one year.  For purposes of this subdivision only, all violations committed on any one day shall constitute a single violation.

h.  In addition to any of the powers that may be exercised by the commissioner pursuant to this subchapter, the commissioner, after due notice and an opportunity to be heard, may suspend, revoke, deny or refuse to renew a pedicab business license based on a determination that the number and/or type of violation or violations issued to drivers of pedicabs owned by such business indicate that the operation of such business poses a threat to public safety.

§14.  Subdivision a of section 20-262 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 19 for the year 2007,  is amended to read as follows:

a. In any civil, criminal, or administrative action or proceeding, the failure to display the registration [tag or decal] plate on the pedicab on which it is required to be displayed as provided in section 20-255 of this subchapter shall be presumptive evidence that such pedicab has not been inspected and is not duly registered as required by this subchapter.

§15.  The Commissioner shall have the authority to promulgate any rules necessary for the implementation of this local law.

§16.  This local law shall take effect immediately, except that section five of this local law shall take effect one hundred days after it shall have become a law, and provided that pedicab businesses may continue to operate without a pedicab business license, and pedicab drivers may continue to operate pedicabs without a registration plate and without a pedicab driver’s license, until the expiration of one hundred days of the effective date of this local law,  and provided that subdivisions a, b, and d of section 20-251 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by section four of this local law, shall be deemed repealed eighteen months after the sixtieth day of the application period for registration plates.  

This press release can be found here:

http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/View.ashx?M=F&ID=682819&GUID=948E9442-74BD-45BD-9FDF-AA038DC6E12F

PEDICAB LICENSING LEGISLATION

To improve transportation safety and reduce congestion, especially in the Midtown area where
hundreds of pedicabs operate without any regulations or safety measures, the Council will vote on legislation to regulate and license pedicabs.

“Those who have been to Times Square or Midtown lately know that pedicabs have become a flourishing mode of transportation in our city,” said Speaker Quinn. “While we want to promote and support greener transit options, we need to make sure that businesses like the pedicab industry are operating as safely and responsibly as possible. This legislation strikes a balance that makes our streets safer and greener.”

“On Central Park South and in Midtown Manhattan, pedicabs operate without any rules whatsoever — it’s like the Wild West,” said Council Member Dan Garodnick. “Because pedicabs are not licensed, it’s impossible to regulate the behavior of their drivers and owners in any meaningful way. No licenses means no consequences — and that poses an unacceptable level of risk when you’re talking about being out in the middle of New York City traffic. It’s time to finally correct this.”
Key features of the bill include:

•Creating a 60 day licensing period for owners to apply for pedicab business licenses and registration plates;
•Limiting business owners from operating more than 30 pedicabs at one time;
•Requiring pedicab businesses to provide safety training for pedicab drivers;
•Increases penalties for pedicab drivers who do not obtain proper licensing from the Department of Consumer Affairs.

This legislation will increase safety by prohibiting pedicabs from operating in pedestrian plazas and by holding pedicab business owners responsible for the actions of the drivers they employ. Additionally, a pedicab business can lose its license if its drivers fail to obey the law or it operates pedicabs that have not been inspected by the Department of Consumer Affairs. All pedicabs must be properly insured, and pass an inspection conducted by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) before they will be permitted to operate.

The following story can be found in its origional context here:
http://www.thelondondailynews.com/black-cabbie-talk-c-23_141.html?osCsid=8ke5i6oqjp7pvajdfbbcnqtqj0

By John Kennedy

We have made it to the summer recess of parliament and at this moment in time the London Local authorities and Transport for London (no.2) Bill hasn’t received a third reading in the House of Lords and therefore it passage has been slowed down. Now with the spectre of a general election looming in May 2010 latest June this piece of legislation may not make it through both chambers and become law. Now you would think this was good news well I’m sorry it is not for subscribers to the London taxi forum and Ltcpr have recently received a few emails where yet again Westminster City Council seem to be of the opinion that they will go ahead with a “voluntary scheme of registration” if this bill fails to become law.

I really do find it odd that it appears some in local government are so desperate to place “ranks” on the public highway for objects that have never been tested by the department of transport for their suitability in carrying fare paying passengers. It appears the health & safety culture of the speed hump brigade as disappeared overnight and might I add this isn’t helped when two taxi trade organisations (LTDA and UNITE) have decided not to object to this bill but pronounce to the trade they wish to seek a ban ? Please could the LTDA and UNITE explain how will they be able to progress with the campaign to ban pedicabs when they will have demonstrated to parliament and the public that they were happy for up to “30 bays/ranks” to placed on the public highway and a voluntary registration scheme to be introduced which will merely further legitimise the pedicab operation here in the capital. I will say this now that the good work of the LTDA in the past will be undone if this scheme comes into operation. This scheme may well come into operation if bodies like the LTDA and UNITE stand back and give up work and rank space to a 3rd World mode of transport that deserves no place here on the capitals roads. Place the pedicabs in the parks where they belong out of harm’s way and danger, the public highway is not a funfair and members of London’s assembly who have in the past commented on the fun aspect of a pedicab ride do their office no justice by ducking the very important issue of road safety, the 3rd Way is the only Way.

Now I have kept a close look at the progress of this bill and for those of you who have subscribed to Ltcpr be assured that we shall oppose this bill at every twist and turn through the Lords and the Commons. We have petitions ready and waiting for the trigger of the 3rd reading in the Lords and we shall try over the summer recess to garner support from members of the Upper house and challenge certain clauses and aspects of this bill on its 3rd reading.

Pedicabs are dangerous, Pedicabs are a rip-off, Pedicabs are not green, Pedicabs are not wheelchair accessible nor guide dog friendly, Pedicab ranks will lead to mini-cab ranks, Pedicabs are stealing work from the mouths of your family, Pedicabs have no legitimate role to play in surface transport within the capital, Pedicabs have show up some within the political establishment for what they are, Pedicabs should be banned from the public highway. So ask yourself this question what are you or your trade organisation doing to protect your livelihood and future?

John Kennedy founder of Ltcpr and member of the RMT London taxi branch…PS RMT London taxi branch have swung into action and moves are afoot to support its members in opposition to this bill before parliament, no to clause 19…!

The following story can be found in it’s origional context here:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jul/29/city-council-puts-brakes-pedicabs/?metro&zIndex=140046

San Diego City Council puts brakes on pedicabs

Each must have a new ID number assigned by city

By Helen Gao

Union-Tribune Staff Writer

2:00 a.m. July 29, 2009

The recent death of a tourist on a pedicab ride spurred the San Diego City Council yesterday to boost regulations on the growing number of pedal-powered three-wheelers.

By a unanimous vote, the council approved a long list of changes that it says will improve safety and protect consumers. Council members also made clear that they are not done cracking down on the industry and will have city staff study more measures to improve oversight.

“This is a really good start. People are going to be made safer. And people aren’t going to be taken advantage of as they have been in the past,” Councilman Tony Young said.

The new regulations cap the number of pedicabs allowed to operate in high-traffic zones at 250; require drivers to prominently display fares; and ban the vehicles from sidewalks and streets with speed limits of more than 25 mph, unless they use bike lanes.

Drivers of the three-wheelers also are prohibited from taking up metered parking spaces. And they must carry proof of insurance and ensure that their passengers wear seat belts. The new regulations will take effect in 30 days.

About 430 pedicabs are registered to operate in San Diego, and 817 people have obtained operator permits to drive the three-wheelers within the past year, according to the city.

Other requirements approved yesterday call for each pedicab to be marked with a city-assigned identification number and the company’s name and phone number so consumers know whom to contact if they have grievances.

The ID numbers will assist police in issuing citations for violations and help track whether owners are meeting insurance requirements and paying fines for traffic violations. A pedicab with five or more unpaid parking violations can be impounded by the police.

Several pedicab owners said the regulations will hurt their business. Because of the new limits, companies will have to cut their fleet by as much as 60 percent, they say.

“We don’t want to lose our investment and lose our business with these new laws that are coming into effect,” said Eric Wesselink, who spoke on behalf of two companies with a total of 60 vehicles.

Wesselink said a reduction of 20 percent is more reasonable. He also took issue with banning pedicabs from streets with a speed limit of more than 25 mph. Doing so will make it impossible for pedicabs to get around, he said. Sixth Avenue, which runs through the Gaslamp Quarter, for example, has a speed limit of 30 mph.

Some pedicab drivers said the new regulations will do nothing to solve problems because they don’t address the underlying issue of foreign students coming here in large numbers to work as drivers in the summer.

The foreign students, they insisted, are the ones who have given their industry a bad name by disobeying traffic laws and overcharging customers.

Downtown organizations, including the San Diego Convention Center Corp. and the Gaslamp Quarter Association, backed the regulations.

“We receive regular complaints from attendees and meeting planners who book our facilities about pedicab drivers who have acted in an unethical manner,” said Steven Johnson, vice president of public affairs for the Convention Center Corp.

“This behavior damages San Diego’s reputation, which negatively impacts our ability to continue to attract business to the Convention Center.”

As part of yesterday’s action, the council repealed a requirement that pedicab drivers obtain a California driver’s license. City staff said such a requirement is unenforceable because under state law, driver’s licenses apply to those who operate motorized vehicles, and pedicabs are considered bicycles.

Council members asked that city lobbyists pursue legislation in Sacramento to allow the city to require a driver’s license.

The move to tighten regulations came three weeks after an Illinois tourist, whose husband was here for an education convention, died after falling from a pedicab and hitting her head on the pavement during a ride on the Martin Luther King Promenade.

The driver of the pedicab, a 23-year-old from Turkey who was here on a short-term visa, was arrested but released without charges being filed against him. The District Attorney’s Office is still investigating the case.

City officials had been working on revising pedicab regulations for nearly two years, but momentum to adopt changes picked up only after the fatality.

Union-Tribune

Helen Gao

The following story can be found in it’s original context here:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jul/30/1m30b2briefs231534-short-takes/?metro&zIndex=140712

Scholarship established in name of pedicab victim

SAN DIEGO: The family of Sharon Miller, who died on a pedicab ride on the Fourth of July in downtown San Diego, has established a scholarship fund in her memory.

Miller suffered a fatal head injury when she fell off a pedicab during a ride on the Martin Luther King Promenade. Miller, a retired elementary school teacher from Illinois, was in town with her husband, who was attending the National Education Association conference at the Convention Center downtown.

In a statement released yesterday, the Miller family thanked San Diego police officers and firefighters for their emergency response, as well as the doctors at UCSD Medical Center for trying to save her.

Donations can be sent to the Sharon Miller Scholarship Fund, Illinois Education Association Region 47, 3440 Liberty Drive, Springfield, IL 62704.

Miller’s death prompted the San Diego City Council on Tuesday to impose stricter regulations on pedicabs, including the requirement that operators ensure that passengers wear seat belts. –H.G.