Trixi.com
13-05-2005, 11:52
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Pedicabs may return to city streets
The Saratogian, 05/13/2005
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Pedicab businesses are lining up to peddle their services to city visitors and residents, and the City Council will look at an ordinance allowing the licensing of the bicycle taxis at its next meeting on Tuesday.
In anticipation of the ordinance's adoption, the owners of Saratoga Chariots, Kristine Healy and William Manzueta, will be holding a press conference at 4:30 p.m. today in front of City Hall.
'It's a unique thing for Saratoga,' Healy said. 'They are environmentally friendly, and they really aren't new,' she added, referring to a Saratoga Springs telephone directory with a print of a Victorian-era pedicab.
'It was something that we thought was a good idea, something very Saratogian,' added Manzueta, who is also the owner of Chill Will's Market on Jefferson Street. 'We thought Saratoga needed it, for transportation, for the tourists and for the locals, too.'
'We've been working on this for more than a year,' said Healy. 'We originally applied for licenses from the city and were told that the city had no mechanism to license pedicabs.'
Accounts Commissioner Stephen Towne established a Special Livery Ordinance Committee to study and write the ordinance that will be up for public discussion at the next council meeting.
'The committee has been meeting for several months,' Healy said. 'The ordinance was eligible to be reviewed every other year. It already covers taxicabs, equine-draw carriages, and now pedicabs, hopefully.'
Asked if pedicabs would slow traffic at all, Healy said they might.
'Initially they will be a unique sight on the streetscape, so people will stop to look,' she said. 'But eventually I hope they become part of the charm of Saratoga and eventually help ease traffic and parking problems.'
Also mitigating the traffic impact will be the ordinance itself, which will restrict pedicabs from Broadway except at allowed crossings. Other prohibited streets include sections of Lake Avenue, Caroline Street, Phila Street and Church Street.
With no shortage of willing drivers, Manzueta said he hopes to have as many as 20 pedicabs on the streets by the beginning of the summer, but if the ordinance is adopted, Saratoga Chariots will face a competitor. Mark Hefernan, owner of Kathmandu Bazaar, is also ready to offer a pedicab service by the name of Saratoga Cycle Cabs.
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Pedicabs may return to city streets
The Saratogian, 05/13/2005
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Pedicab businesses are lining up to peddle their services to city visitors and residents, and the City Council will look at an ordinance allowing the licensing of the bicycle taxis at its next meeting on Tuesday.
In anticipation of the ordinance's adoption, the owners of Saratoga Chariots, Kristine Healy and William Manzueta, will be holding a press conference at 4:30 p.m. today in front of City Hall.
'It's a unique thing for Saratoga,' Healy said. 'They are environmentally friendly, and they really aren't new,' she added, referring to a Saratoga Springs telephone directory with a print of a Victorian-era pedicab.
'It was something that we thought was a good idea, something very Saratogian,' added Manzueta, who is also the owner of Chill Will's Market on Jefferson Street. 'We thought Saratoga needed it, for transportation, for the tourists and for the locals, too.'
'We've been working on this for more than a year,' said Healy. 'We originally applied for licenses from the city and were told that the city had no mechanism to license pedicabs.'
Accounts Commissioner Stephen Towne established a Special Livery Ordinance Committee to study and write the ordinance that will be up for public discussion at the next council meeting.
'The committee has been meeting for several months,' Healy said. 'The ordinance was eligible to be reviewed every other year. It already covers taxicabs, equine-draw carriages, and now pedicabs, hopefully.'
Asked if pedicabs would slow traffic at all, Healy said they might.
'Initially they will be a unique sight on the streetscape, so people will stop to look,' she said. 'But eventually I hope they become part of the charm of Saratoga and eventually help ease traffic and parking problems.'
Also mitigating the traffic impact will be the ordinance itself, which will restrict pedicabs from Broadway except at allowed crossings. Other prohibited streets include sections of Lake Avenue, Caroline Street, Phila Street and Church Street.
With no shortage of willing drivers, Manzueta said he hopes to have as many as 20 pedicabs on the streets by the beginning of the summer, but if the ordinance is adopted, Saratoga Chariots will face a competitor. Mark Hefernan, owner of Kathmandu Bazaar, is also ready to offer a pedicab service by the name of Saratoga Cycle Cabs.
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