pedicab accident rates

[greenstreetpedicabs]

Greetings....

I am working with my local community government to establish pedicab
service in our downtown area [Naperville, Il.] One of the questions raised
is the "safety rate"...accident rate of pedicabs.

Is there any where one can go to research this issue ??

Thanks for your time
brett d.

[Ken Cameron]

Greetings....

I am working with my local community government to establish pedicab
service in our downtown area [Naperville, Il.] One of the questions raised
is the "safety rate"...accident rate of pedicabs.

Is there any where one can go to research this issue ??

Thanks for your time
brett d.

I'd like to know as well. Like other businesses, I think most pedicab company operators do their best to avoid bad publicity, and higher insurance rates. This will tend to lead to under reporting of accidents. In that our vehicles are more like bicycles than automobiles, statistics that are complied in the same way that they are for cars are not going to reflect the kinds of risks faced by our passengers.

From what I have seen the most common accident is for drunk passengers to fall down when getting in or out of the pedicab. In that we often operate at night around bars and sometimes travel slower than automobile traffic, we can be at increased risk of being rear ended by drunks. Any and all steps taken to reduce these risks will help.

I wonder if there is a great big insurance company database that lists all of the accidents that have been reported in the United States. If there is such a thing, and if you can get access to it, you might be able to the information that your city is looking for. Other than this you might be able to ask the city departments that regulate pedicabs around the country how many accidents they have had reported to them over the years. I think there is a good chance that many of the regulating cities will not have records of this type either.

If the lack of reliable information becomes a problem, you may be able to get statements from the regulating departments in other cities that covers the the types of problems they have encountered, and any steps they have taken to resolve them. I am guessing that your city folks just want to make sure that they are not in for a bunch of headache and bad publicity.

[greenstreetpedicabs]

Ken...

I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts on this
insurance question...
However, this morning I received an e-mail from the lead city staff
working with me on this, forwarding a very negative response to pedicabs
in our community from both the chief of police and the commander of
the traffic section...
"In summary, the pedicabs most likely will have a negative impact on traffic and safety."
I am reviewing what my next step is going to be, as their input was asked
for by the Transportation Advisory Board.

Thank you again for your time
Brett d.

[tdayuk]

All the business get hassle to establish itself, we operate in London & also work around mayor traffic flows, the same as NY. Our accident rates are lower than for other forms of transport, because we go slower.

Providing that you have bright operational lighting (as fitted on ours) even drunks (who should not drive a car in the first place!!!!) should be able to see you.

If it comes to changing the pattern of car use & making streets friendly for pedestrians and your lungs, then bicycles & pedicabs have just got to be given the space to operate. Do these guys have any initiatives for reducing pollution and to get people into work?! It may be a friend to your cause.

(I did post in another part of this forum our accident rates if this helps)

All the best

[Ken Cameron]

I am really sorry that you are getting some interference from your city officials. Are there house carriages operating in you city? If so you can point out that pedicabs are much faster and blend far better with traffic. Does your city have bicycle traffic? Pedicabs generally travel at the same speeds that bicycles travel.

In considering safety of your streets, have your police considered that many of your patrons will be driving drunk instead of using your service? In considering the impact of your service won't pedicabs add charm to your city's down town core, showing how friendly and safe it is? Pedicabs make a favorable impression. They help to make an area both more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. Pedicabs are a green transportation service. I could go on, but we have a great many arguments in our favor.

On what basis did they make these decisions? Have they spoken to city officials in other cities with successful pedicab programs? I would highly recommend that you contact the city of Austin Transportation Department. Explain your situation and see if they might be able to offer some information to your city staff that will resolve their concerns.

City of Austin -

[greenstreetpedicabs]

Ken...
Thank you for your input on this.
No, there are no horse drawn carriages, and yes this would add charm to the thriving downtown area...I must add that city staff has been extremely
supportive of this concept and they are pushing me forward.
My post yesterday was a summation from the Police Department...I am going to include their full reaction below.

After reviewing the ordinance, I have several concerns regarding the pedicabs.

1. I do not believe the pedicabs are a safe alternative to traditional taxi cabs in Naperville and believe the cabs are dangerous for the operator and passengers.

2. The pedicabs could create additional congestion in the downtown area, and around the train station.

3. The Police Department's Investigator responsible for licensing is already overwhelmed with ordinance mandated background investigations. With the current budget situation, no relief is available to assist this Investigator.

4. The Police Department's Traffic Section does not have the expertise to inspect the pedicabs; this could create a liability for the City in the event a pedicab is involved in a crash as a result of equipment failure.

In summary, the pedicabs most likely will have a negative impact on traffic and safety.

Thank you again for your time and supportive input
brett d.

[greenstreetpedicabs]

Greetings...
Thank you for your supportive response, in my quick reply to Ken Cameron
on this, I included the full list from our local Police Department as to why they are resistant to pedicabs....

take care
brett d.

[Gike]

In Green Bay Wi the operator had to provide the background check, proof of insurance, and DMV record. No work for the "taxed worker". They just took the money. Your chief of police and investigator clearly did not do any research. If the ordinance is written correctly, the "checklist" would be self explanitory. Keep up the good fight....Hows it going now?