News and Happenings in the San Diego Pedicab Scene

This page is dedicated to updates about things impacting the pedicab community, particularly in San Diego.

2010

2010.12.15 New tamper resistant identification tags added to pedicabs in lieu of stamping the PIN into the seat tube. Asset sticker with PIN are positioned on top tube near the seat post and should make it much easier to identify unregistered pedicabs.

2010.11.23 Guidelines for Balboa Park December Nights Released. Pedicab staging area (drop off/pick up) located at Balboa Drive and Laurel. Reminder: 4th, 5th and 6th Avenues are off limits, Balboa Drive is one-way (south bound); to go north towards Upas, use the interior walkway.
Download PDF: December Nights 2010

2010.11.18 Notes from Owner's Meeting 2011 Permit Renewals. According to Transportation Engineering Division, pedicab decal applications for 2011 will be available beginning December 15th. Amended Ordinance to incorporate AB 2294 will have first reading in full council on December 7th, second reading in January, to become effective 30 days after Mayor signs the ordinance. Parking Update: No spaces converted yet, 25 identified, will be on former red curb areas - SDPD are not supposed to be issuing tickets for parking in metered spaces until the pedicab parking zones are created. 25 MPH Restriction: Engineering & Capital Projects to research other municipalities that have limit set at 35 mph, SDPD maintain it's not safe for pedicabs to be on streets posted over 25 mph even though no other bicycle is not subject to the same restriction. Insurance requirements: policies must list each covered pedicab and it's SD Pedicab ID Number, the policy must be in the name of the pedicab owner (individual or company as applicable); an owner cannot insure someone elses pedicab.

2010.11.13 Annual Pedicab Owners Meeting, Thursday, November 18, 2010, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. To be held in the Lower Lobby Conference Room (Basement Level), Executive Complex, 1010 Second Ave, San Diego, CA, 92101. Primary Topic of discussion: Pedicab Ordinance

2010.10.13 Public Safety and Neighborhood Services (PS&NS) Committee receives Report from the Mayor and the City Attorney regarding PEDICAB LEGISLATION UPDATE. ACTION: Information only. No action taken. The Committee requested, and the City Attorney agreed to return to the PS&NS Committee on November 17, 2010, with an amendment to the pedicab ordinance requiring a California Drivers License for all pedicab drivers.

2010.09.30 Assembly Bill 2294 Status update. Passed. Signed by the Govenor, sent to Secretary of State to be Chaptered. In addition to mandating a CA DL to operate a pedicab, AB 2294 is significant as it codifies pedicabs in the State Vehicle Code, perhaps the first state to do that.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

 

SECTION 1. Section 467.5 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:

 

467.5. “Pedicab” means either of the following:

 

(a) A bicycle that has three or more wheels, that transports, or is capable of transporting, passengers on seats attached to the bicycle, that is operated by a person, and that is being used for transporting passengers for hire.

 

(b) A bicycle that pulls a trailer, sidecar, or similar device, that transports,or is capable of transporting, passengers on seats attached to the trailer, sidecar, or similar device, that is operated by a person, and that is being used for transporting passengers for hire.

Download PDF: AB 2294 Chaptered Version

2010.09.02 SD Union Tribune article: "Number of Pedicab Citations Tops 350". Interesting article about the high number of citations issued for violations of the recently amended pedicab ordinances.

2010.08.25 Assembly Bill 2294 Status update. Bll is sent to enrollment in preparation for the Govenor's action. Note CABO's opposition at the end of the analysis. Final analysis and bill history through this date are provided below:

Download PDF: AB 2294 History Through August 25, 2010
Download PDF: AB 2294 Final Analysis August 23, 2010

2010.08.17 Assembly Bill 2294 Status update. Third reading and Senate Floor Analsis. Major revision to the proposed bill, expanded to provide alternatives to posessing a California Drivers License also distinguishes beween pedicabs used "for hire" and those just operating on the street (see analysis).

Proposed Expanded Requirement

Allows local authorities to license and regulate the operation of pedicabs for hire including requiring pedicab operators have one or more of the following:

A. A valid California driver's license.

B. A valid California indentification card and proof of successful completion of the written portion of the drivers' license examination administered by Department of Motor Vehicles, as specified.

C. Proof of successful completion of a bicycle safety training course certified by the League of American Bicyclists or similar organization.

Download PDF: AB 2294 Senate Floor Analysis August 12, 2010
Download PDF: AB 2294 Amended v96 August 12, 2010

2010.07.20 Comic Con. Approved Pedicab staging area identified by San Diego Police Department:
1. L Street eastbound lanes between 5th and 6th.
2. Bike lane/walkway running between 1st and 5th Avenue
View Image: Comic Con Pedicab Staging Areas

2010.07.17 SD PRIDE. Failure abounds on the first day of SD PRIDE, pedicab operators from downtown flock to Hillcrest to work the PRIDE event, consistently violating the ordianance prohibiting pedicabs on streets with a speed limit in excess of 25 MPH (4th, 5th and 6th Avenues). SDPD issues some citations but clearly fail to fully enforce the ordinance. Two questions: 1) Why can't pedicab operators follow the law? 2) Why can't/won't the SDPD enforce the law that one of thier own officers wrote and championed?
(set aside for the moment that it's just a bad law: If you're going to pass a law - enforce it, otherwise repeal it. This prohibition only hurts those of us that abide by it!)

2010.06.29 Enforcement Alert. Upcoming events that will be impacted by prohibition of operating on streets with a posted speed limit over 25 mph: 4th of July in Pacific Beach, Over-the-Line Tournament in Mission Bay and SD Pride in Hillcrest.

2010.06.29 Assembly Bill 2294 Status update. Third reading and Senate Rules Committee Analsis. No substantial change, tightens up analysis, removes references to media reports of July 4, 2009 fatality, focuses on public safety as primary purpose. Specifies vehicles for hire which would presumably exclude home or recreational use of a pedicab.
Download PDF: AB 2294 Analysis - Senate 3rd Reading

2010.06.24 Assembly Bill 2294 status update. Amended version published and third reading ordered for Jun 28th. Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. Amended version applies statewide (not just San Diego), defines pedicabs in the C.V.C. and authorizes any city or county to make ordinances to regulate, among other things, the licensing and operation of vehicles for hire and drivers of passenger vehicles for hire (which can include requiring a California Drivers license). Bill title changed to: An act to amend Section 21100 of, and to add Section 467.5 to, the Vehicle Code, relating to pedicabs
Download PDF: AB 2294 Amended (Sen Version)

2010.06.22 Assembly Bill 2294 status update. Pass as amended by Senate Transportation and Housing Committee, 6 - Yeas, 0 - Noes, 3 - No Vote Recorded (Senator Kehoe D-SD and bill co-author did not vote!)

2010.06.11 Assembly Bill 2294 status update. Analysis by Senate Transportation and Housing Committee, hearing scheduled for June 15th. A more complete analysis than by the Assembly, however they only present different means to the same end, still failing to indentfy the principle motive behind the bill. Analysis available for download below.
Download PDF: AB 2294 Senate Analysis

2010.05.25 Parking Program for Pedicabs. Amended Ordinance passed unanimously, location of spots and timeline for implementing not specified. $4,000 program cost will be recouped through increased permit fees. (likely to be effective with January 2011 renewals, although the city has not provided any details yet.)

2010.05.24 Assembly Bill 2294 status update. Referred to Senate Transportation and Housing Committee, hearing scheduled for June 15th.

2010.05.22 Parking Program for Pedicabs. Amended ordinance to go before full City Council on Tuesday, May 25th at 10:00. Click here for link to Council Agenda. Proposed ordinance creates two types of pedicab parking areas in the Downtown Restricted Pedicab Zone. Pedicab Passenger Loading Zones and Pedicab Resting Areas. Existing red curb at intersections and corners will be converted to pedicab only parking zones with 30-90 minute time limits depending on location. Based on cost data provided by the City there should be 25 parking spots created. (program cost $4,000.00, cost to convert/sign each spot: $160)
Download PDF: Pedicab Parking - Executive Summary
Download PDF: Pedicab Parking - Estimated Cost

2010.04.28 Assembly Bill 2294 status update. Third reading, passed as amended, analysis from assembly floor (opposition by CABO more fully covered). Updated analysis available in PDF format.
Download PDF: AB 2294 Analysis 3rd Reading

2010.04.26 Assembly Bill 2294 status update. Proposed amendment to California Vehicle Code to include a definition of "pedicab".
Download PDF: AB 2294 Amended

Also includes the following:

(b) The County of San Diego or a city within the county may adopt a pedicab licensing ordinance or resolution that includes, but is not limited to, a requirement that the operator of the pedicab obtain a valid California driver's license, so as to ensure that the pedicab operator has demonstrated knowledge of the applicable requirements of this code before being allowed to transport passengers for hire.

2010.04.22 Assembly Bill 2294 status update. Assembly Transportation Committee action: Amend and pass as amended, 11 votes Ayes, 0 votes Noes. Amendment limits change to just San Diego - not Statewide. Assembly analysis of AB 2294 available in PDF format.
Download PDF: AB 2294 Analysis

2010.04.12 Effective Monday April 19, 2010, San Diego Police Department will begin to issue citiations to pedicabs that do not have the proper registration decal displayed. (ordinance effective October 12, 2009; permit program implemented January 1, 2010).

2010.04.01 Balboa Park Update: (RE: EarthFair 2010). Pedicabs are not allowed inside Balboa Park on EarthFair (per the Fire Marshall). Access outside the Park is limited to streets with a posted speed limit of 25 mph or less - 5th and 6th Avenues as well as Park Blvd. are off limits.

2010.03.13 Balboa Park Update: (RE: St. Patricks Day Parade) Pedicabs granted access to Cabrillo Bridge beginning at 11:00 on the condition of following SDPD instructions for pick up/drop off/staging locations as well as no stopping on the bridge during peak activity. Additional caveat: any potential safety issues and access will be revoked. From all indications, there were no issues. Thank you to SDPD Special Events Operations for making this happen.

2010.03.06 Balboa Park Update: (RE: St. Patricks Day Parade) Cabrillo Bridge will be closed to pedicabs March 13th from 09:00 to 14:00 due to the St. Patricks Day Parade per SD Police Department Special Events Office.

2010.03.03 Report No: 10-028, Status of Pedicab Program, issued by Engineering and Capital Projects, Transportation Engineering Operations. (RE: number of registered pedicabs) "The current number of pedicab operator permits is 175. The current number of pedicab owner restricted permits is 235. The current number of pedicab owner permits for the nonrestricted areas is one. Permits are non-transferrable." [emphasis added]. Note: Report to be presented to the City Council, Public Safety and Neighboorhood Services (PS&NS) Committee on March 10, 2010.
Download PDF: Report No: 10-028 Status of Pedicab Program

2010.02.18 Assembly Bill 2294 (AB 2294) Introduced into the California State Legislature by Assembly members Block (78th District) and Fletcher (75th District). (RE: California driver's license requirement) "This bill would define the term 'pedicab' and would authorize a city or county to adopt a pedicab licensing ordinance or resolution that includes, but not limited to, a requirement that the operator of the pedicab obtain a valid California driver's license". May be heard March 23rd.
Download PDF: Assembly Bill 2294

2010.02.10 Unnumbered Executive Summary Report, Parking Program for Pedicabs, issued by Engineering and Capital Projects, Transportation Engineering Operations. (RE: addition of Pedicab Resting Areas) "The Pedicab Resting Areas will allow pedicab operators to park and leave their vehicle for up to 30 minutes. They too will be primarily obtained by removing excess re curbing with no loss of metered parking spaces and designated by signage." Note: Report to be presented to the City Council, Public Safety and Neighboorhood Services (PS&NS) Committee on February 17, 2010.
Download PDF: Parking Program for Pedicabs Executive Summary

 

 

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