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Pedicabs seek right to work during rush hour

Some pedicab drivers want to cruise downtown during rush hour and they have asked the urban transportation commission to make that happen.

But the Austin Public Works Department says that’s too dangerous.

A city ordinance put the brakes on pedicabs during the morning and evening rush hours — plus lunch time.

It’s a safety issue for the city and a money matter for pedicabs.

Like a Postman, pedicab driver Ken Shackleford says rain, sleet, or snow won’t keep him from doing his job.

Although he’s not crazy about the hot days, or about being restricted during the day.

“It would be nice to have it as an option,” Shackleford said.

The convention center is where a rally against restrictions started.

“I’m not sure why we would restrict a particular kind of cab during normal business hours when that’s a time we want to get as many cars off the road as possible,” says Commissioner Patrick Goetz with the Urban Transportation Commission.

The city says traffic can be trouble for pedicabs. Trying to get around Downtown during peak periods is tough when you’re driving a car.

“It is the safety of the motorist, safety of pedicab passengers, safety of the pedicab drivers,” said Steve Grassfield, transportation manager with Austin Public Works.

But for folks like Shackleford who make enough money to pay bills, restricting him from working when the most people are Downtown doesn’t seem fair.

Following a pedicab hit-and-run that sent a man to the hospital earlier this year, pedicabs were restricted from cruising the Congress Avenue Bridge.

Other Texas cities like Dallas and Fort Worth also restrict pedicabs during the heavily traveled rush hours.

Austin did grant a waiver for pedicabs to operate in the evenings back in October, but that was on a trial basis, and the city says that tryout didn’t work.

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