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.

2010.07.20 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

 

 

Why Stroll...When you can Roll? ^SM