More “Googling” has lead me to comments posted on the seattlepi.com website.  The article and its comments can be found here:

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattle911/archives/145457.asp

Posted by unregistered user at 8/8/08 1:40 p.m.

Ex-Pedicab driver-
Cascadia cabs don’t prohibit or warn you of which hills to stay away from. Instead they incourage you to go where the customer requests and to use caution and good judgement. This leaves all fault to the rider and makes you feel very alone out there. Their training does not include any warnings of weight or load limits. They do not even remind you that you can turn down a fare if you feel like it. The amount of cabs there are at the moment means less cash for the riders forcing them to perform stunts they wouldn’t normally do. It’s like a frenzy out there, and every cab driver will tell you that.
The owner of the company said that there was no mechanical failure, and I don’t believe him. I’ve never met him. He’s not around. His word is the word of the managers that actually ride those cabs, and I happen to know that they did service the bikes just prior to the accident. That does not mean that there was no mechanical failure. Those bikes are rickidy as heck, and it could’ve been something unnavoidable.
Thanks

Posted by unregistered user at 8/9/08 10:45 a.m.

They never service the brakes, you are expected to fix those yourself. There’s only two mechanics and they aren’t paid enough and sometimes aren’t even paid. They put too many cabs out and no one makes any money so it’s a crazy mad-grab for whatever buck you can make. It was the kid’s first day, and I feel sorry for him just as much as the deceased and his family. I doubt anyone told him not to go down hills. The company definitely does not do extensive training. They just give you one little half hour (at the most) test ride and then you are expected to know what you’re doing. It’s bullshit. This company is guilty of negligence in my opinion. It was started only a year ago and it is no coincidence that the first fatal crash in Seattle happened with this company — after at least 40 years of pedicabs in this city. Their bad practices finally caught up to them and I hope that they don’t survive the impending legal battle.