Tighter Rules For Orlando's Bicycle Taxis

[Trixi.com]

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.

[tdayuk]

that we should for the protection of the industry have basic standards.
These should be
-Training for the drivers/riders
-Insurance for the pedicab customers
-A purpose built pedicab, that should be up to the job and safe
- good lighting & good brakes

I do think that this is the only way to still have pedicabs in 5,10 & 20 years time.

[hewman1]

We welcome reasonable regulation in Orlando. Bicycle cabs should certainly be insured; I carry twice the proposed Orlando requirement. I also carry twice the proposed lighting requirement.

I personally would not mind if certain cowboy drivers got ticketed a little more often for their flagrant violations of traffic law (not that some of us don't occasionally take harmless liberties when no one's looking, yes?) If not for their antics, we might not be facing this barrage of proposed laws.

Six weeks ago, the City was proposing requirements for child seats (under 4 years/40 lbs.) and helmets (under 16 years) for passengers, helmets to be sanitized after each use. After some commentary, those requirements (along with driver helmet and seat belts) abruptly disappeared.

Banning bike cabs from streets closed temporarily to motor vehicles (the anti-cruising law proved unenforceable) is more problematic. If enforced, about half of the 25-40 cabs on weekend nights would be starved out, by my estimate.

Two side-mounted rear-view mirrors? Overkill, anybody?

Stopping from 10 mph within 15 feet? I wouldn't care to try that with unbelted passengers! My tip would be gone even if the passengers managed to hang on!

Signage stating rates or "Donations Only" won't work for me; I don't charge rates and am not operating a charity.

Next month we bicycle-drawn trailer-jockeys will have a collective response at the Orlando City Commission meeting's (first? second?) reading of a yet-again amended proposed amendment to the City Code.

[grits]

I don't understand the "donations only" requirement. Potential riders are free to decline to ride if they don't want to pay a quoted rate. It happens every day.

[hewman1]

Grits:
I don't charge, so I won't have a sign with the rates. The proposed code requires, therefore, a sign stating "Donations Only." Simple.
I see "donations" signage or wording only in non-profit settings; I'm in business to make a living, not solicit handouts. I'm objecting (here and directly to the Orlando Police Department Legal Advisor who writes the ordinance) that I shouldn't have to change my "Complimentary Rides - Commissioned by tips only" sign (which clearly states that I work for tips) to "Donations Only," which does not. I cart enough cheapskates as it is, without having to give them excuses to misunderstand my service model.