Trixi.com
10-12-2006, 13:20
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SUNDAY FOCUS: TIGHTER RULES FOR ORLANDO'S BICYCLE TAXIS
City downshifts for traffic safety
Pedicab drivers will soon need to follow rules similar to those for automobiles
Mark Schlueb
Sentinel Staff Writer
December 10, 2006
Orlando leaders are bearing down on pedicabs, the pedal-powered bicycle taxis that dart around downtown free from rules governing traditional taxis.
The city has taken a hands-off approach since the bicycle taxis began hauling passengers around downtown, International Drive and Universal CityWalk seven years ago. But with the number sharing downtown roads growing, city officials worried about safety are crafting new regulations and a list of required equipment.
"There are so many pedicabs out there, and they're beginning to have an impact on traffic, especially at night," said Natasha Permaul, a lawyer for the Orlando Police Department who's working on the new rules. "They're not all going to be happy, but we have to balance the industry's needs with the city's needs."
New administrative rules resemble those that automobile taxis have had for decades in most cities. Owners would have to carry insurance in case passengers or others are injured. Drivers would have to apply for permits from the Police Department and post them for passengers to see. And the three- and four-wheeled vehicles -- whose drivers typically work for tips -- would have to carry a "Donations Only" sign.
Mandatory equipment would include headlights, taillights, rear brakes and rear-view mirrors.
The new rules are for the most part welcomed by Orlando's pedicab companies, even though they could add $1,000 or more to the cost of operation. But there could be a bigger effect on smaller businesses and independent owners.
"They're welcomed by companies that have been operating in a professional manner," said Why Walk Pedicab owner Gina Garcia, who helped the city develop the new rules. "But there will be a lot of operators who will cease to operate because of the regulations."
No one knows how many pedicabs operate downtown; estimates range from about 60 to more than 100. They mostly serve the patrons of bars and nightclubs on Orange Avenue and Church Street.
Drivers are typically considered independent contractors and pay a fee of about $50 to rent a pedicab for the night. Though the rides are technically free, drivers pocket tips that can get bigger in the wee hours of the morning when downtown clubs are teeming with thousands of revelers.
"Drunks tend to spend," explains Curt Faust, who heads Orlando's taxi-regulating agency. Faust, a 24-year veteran of the "vehicle for hire" program, has seen the number of pedicabs increase in the past few years and hasn't liked what he's seen.
"I have real concerns with mixing these vehicles in an area with a lot of traffic and alcohol and recreational pharmaceuticals."
Other cities have had similar concerns, with a mix of reactions. Some cities have taken Orlando's proposed approach, requiring safety equipment and oversight. Denver, for instance, requires a training class for drivers. Others have chased them out; Las Vegas officials effectively shut down the industry by banning pedicabs from the Strip.
Two kinds of pedicabs operate in Orlando's downtown: a three-wheeler with a bench seat, and mountain bikes pulling an attached passenger trailer.
Garcia's company manufactures and uses three-wheeled pedicabs that seat two passengers, and says they are safer than the trailer style. She applauds the city's proposed rules but thinks they don't go far enough. The city should limit the size of pedicabs, she said, because large trailers can put people at risk by carrying as many as six passengers.
Howard Gossack, owner of Orient Express Rickshaws, agrees.
"Some of the trailers have no reason to be out there. I could go out and get a trailer and put six people in it, but I don't want to -- it's not safe," said Gossack, whose three-wheeler pedicabs cost about $3,500 each.
But Bill Daoust, whose Orlando Pedicabs was the first to operate downtown seven years ago, says his business' 21 bike trailers are safe. The companies that use three-wheeled pedicabs just can't compete, said Daoust, who supports the new rules.
"I've been hit at 40 mph, and I was fine, the bike was fine and the trailer was fine," said Daoust, whose yellow-shirted drivers are prevalent downtown.
Both sides agree on one thing: The new rules will likely put out of business fly-by-night drivers who carry no insurance or safety equipment.
The City Council was scheduled to vote on the measure Monday, but that has been delayed while staffers make minor changes.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/images/standard/os-logo-2005-small.gif (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/custom/growth/orl-pedicab1006dec10,0,4074954.story?coll=orl-news-growth-headlines)
SUNDAY FOCUS: TIGHTER RULES FOR ORLANDO'S BICYCLE TAXIS
City downshifts for traffic safety
Pedicab drivers will soon need to follow rules similar to those for automobiles
Mark Schlueb
Sentinel Staff Writer
December 10, 2006
Orlando leaders are bearing down on pedicabs, the pedal-powered bicycle taxis that dart around downtown free from rules governing traditional taxis.
The city has taken a hands-off approach since the bicycle taxis began hauling passengers around downtown, International Drive and Universal CityWalk seven years ago. But with the number sharing downtown roads growing, city officials worried about safety are crafting new regulations and a list of required equipment.
"There are so many pedicabs out there, and they're beginning to have an impact on traffic, especially at night," said Natasha Permaul, a lawyer for the Orlando Police Department who's working on the new rules. "They're not all going to be happy, but we have to balance the industry's needs with the city's needs."
New administrative rules resemble those that automobile taxis have had for decades in most cities. Owners would have to carry insurance in case passengers or others are injured. Drivers would have to apply for permits from the Police Department and post them for passengers to see. And the three- and four-wheeled vehicles -- whose drivers typically work for tips -- would have to carry a "Donations Only" sign.
Mandatory equipment would include headlights, taillights, rear brakes and rear-view mirrors.
The new rules are for the most part welcomed by Orlando's pedicab companies, even though they could add $1,000 or more to the cost of operation. But there could be a bigger effect on smaller businesses and independent owners.
"They're welcomed by companies that have been operating in a professional manner," said Why Walk Pedicab owner Gina Garcia, who helped the city develop the new rules. "But there will be a lot of operators who will cease to operate because of the regulations."
No one knows how many pedicabs operate downtown; estimates range from about 60 to more than 100. They mostly serve the patrons of bars and nightclubs on Orange Avenue and Church Street.
Drivers are typically considered independent contractors and pay a fee of about $50 to rent a pedicab for the night. Though the rides are technically free, drivers pocket tips that can get bigger in the wee hours of the morning when downtown clubs are teeming with thousands of revelers.
"Drunks tend to spend," explains Curt Faust, who heads Orlando's taxi-regulating agency. Faust, a 24-year veteran of the "vehicle for hire" program, has seen the number of pedicabs increase in the past few years and hasn't liked what he's seen.
"I have real concerns with mixing these vehicles in an area with a lot of traffic and alcohol and recreational pharmaceuticals."
Other cities have had similar concerns, with a mix of reactions. Some cities have taken Orlando's proposed approach, requiring safety equipment and oversight. Denver, for instance, requires a training class for drivers. Others have chased them out; Las Vegas officials effectively shut down the industry by banning pedicabs from the Strip.
Two kinds of pedicabs operate in Orlando's downtown: a three-wheeler with a bench seat, and mountain bikes pulling an attached passenger trailer.
Garcia's company manufactures and uses three-wheeled pedicabs that seat two passengers, and says they are safer than the trailer style. She applauds the city's proposed rules but thinks they don't go far enough. The city should limit the size of pedicabs, she said, because large trailers can put people at risk by carrying as many as six passengers.
Howard Gossack, owner of Orient Express Rickshaws, agrees.
"Some of the trailers have no reason to be out there. I could go out and get a trailer and put six people in it, but I don't want to -- it's not safe," said Gossack, whose three-wheeler pedicabs cost about $3,500 each.
But Bill Daoust, whose Orlando Pedicabs was the first to operate downtown seven years ago, says his business' 21 bike trailers are safe. The companies that use three-wheeled pedicabs just can't compete, said Daoust, who supports the new rules.
"I've been hit at 40 mph, and I was fine, the bike was fine and the trailer was fine," said Daoust, whose yellow-shirted drivers are prevalent downtown.
Both sides agree on one thing: The new rules will likely put out of business fly-by-night drivers who carry no insurance or safety equipment.
The City Council was scheduled to vote on the measure Monday, but that has been delayed while staffers make minor changes.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/images/standard/os-logo-2005-small.gif (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/custom/growth/orl-pedicab1006dec10,0,4074954.story?coll=orl-news-growth-headlines)