Trixi.com
02-06-2005, 09:57
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SIGNONSANDIEGO NEWS SERVICES 3:44 p.m. May 18, 2005
SAN DIEGO – A City Council committee today unanimously backed a plan to transfer regulation and licensing of pedicabs operating in San Diego to the Metropolitan Transit System.
The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee also tentatively agreed to a list of new rules governing the operation of the pedal-powered tricycles, typically used to move tourists around the city.
City staff said transferring the regulation of pedicabs over to MTS is needed because there are too many jurisdictions governing the vehicles, with different operating rules, fees and requirements.
Pedicabs in San Diego are now regulated by the city, the Port of San Diego and the San Diego Harbor Police.
According to a city manager's report, the new rules would address pedicab drivers who are rude or behave in an unsafe or reckless manner.
The committee was told that there are 125-150 pedicabs operating on San Diego's streets at any given time.
"This is a situation I think is crying out for more regulation," Councilman Michael Zucchet said.
The proposed new rules would:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/images/utbullets/utbullet.gif require pedicab operators to have a valid California driver's license;
http://www.signonsandiego.com/images/utbullets/utbullet.gif require pedicab operators to sign a code of conduct;
http://www.signonsandiego.com/images/utbullets/utbullet.gif mandate a standardized size and location of fare information cards;
http://www.signonsandiego.com/images/utbullets/utbullet.gif require seat belts for all passengers;
http://www.signonsandiego.com/images/utbullets/utbullet.gif allow the Police Department to impound pedicabs;
"This is the natural evolutionary step as our downtown continues to grow and improve, and people need to get around," Councilman Jim Madaffer said. "I think this is going to go along way to having people get around safer."
In the long-run, the city hopes MTS' more stringent rules governing taxis will be extended to include pedicabs.
The transfer to MTS and the proposed rules must now be approved by the full City Council.
SIGNONSANDIEGO NEWS SERVICES 3:44 p.m. May 18, 2005
SAN DIEGO – A City Council committee today unanimously backed a plan to transfer regulation and licensing of pedicabs operating in San Diego to the Metropolitan Transit System.
The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee also tentatively agreed to a list of new rules governing the operation of the pedal-powered tricycles, typically used to move tourists around the city.
City staff said transferring the regulation of pedicabs over to MTS is needed because there are too many jurisdictions governing the vehicles, with different operating rules, fees and requirements.
Pedicabs in San Diego are now regulated by the city, the Port of San Diego and the San Diego Harbor Police.
According to a city manager's report, the new rules would address pedicab drivers who are rude or behave in an unsafe or reckless manner.
The committee was told that there are 125-150 pedicabs operating on San Diego's streets at any given time.
"This is a situation I think is crying out for more regulation," Councilman Michael Zucchet said.
The proposed new rules would:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/images/utbullets/utbullet.gif require pedicab operators to have a valid California driver's license;
http://www.signonsandiego.com/images/utbullets/utbullet.gif require pedicab operators to sign a code of conduct;
http://www.signonsandiego.com/images/utbullets/utbullet.gif mandate a standardized size and location of fare information cards;
http://www.signonsandiego.com/images/utbullets/utbullet.gif require seat belts for all passengers;
http://www.signonsandiego.com/images/utbullets/utbullet.gif allow the Police Department to impound pedicabs;
"This is the natural evolutionary step as our downtown continues to grow and improve, and people need to get around," Councilman Jim Madaffer said. "I think this is going to go along way to having people get around safer."
In the long-run, the city hopes MTS' more stringent rules governing taxis will be extended to include pedicabs.
The transfer to MTS and the proposed rules must now be approved by the full City Council.