Pedicab Bill Will Allow For Out Of State Operators

City Council's Committee on Licensing and Inspections yesterday voted favorably for a bill that will allow candidates with an out of state driver's license eligible to become bike cab operators. This will open up green job opportunities for new residents, out of state commuters and the City's large student population. The bill which is sponsored by Councilwoman Reynolds-Brown will now go before the full City Council.

Other technical changes in the bill include the allowance of electric assist pedicabs which are already used by Velopark and adjustments to liability insurance requirements.

The Philadelphia Bikecab Alliance has been working with the Streets Department and civic associations to expand the territory where pedicabs can operate. Bikecab Alliance members also partner with the Bicycle Coalition's education department to train operators on safety and the rules of the road.

Question What does Roanoke and Birmingham Have that Philly Doesn't?

Answer: Pedicabs

Yes we are the backwater of hired transportation. Today's Metro highlights the story of how Chariots of Philly was run out of town by L&I and an unkown entity who complained about the service at Eagle games.

Meanwhile look at today's entries on Google News

A pedicab puts the city up really close (NYC)
Philadelphia Inquirer, Travel Section - Feb 1, 2009

Pedicabs Beat DC Gridlock
CBS News, NY - Jan 19, 2009

Bike Taxi's May Be In Birmingham's Future
CBS42

Customers on board with pedicab service in Roanoke
WDBJ7.com, VA - Jan 28, 2009

If you haven't before do so now Sign the Petition to bring back pedicabs to Philadelphia.

It's Time For the City To Recognize Pedicabs

We hear it over and over, why aren't there more pedicabs in Philadelphia?

Well it's not like entrepreneurs haven't tried. The problem is whenever a business tries to set up, someone in the city's bureaucracy tries to shut them down.

Take the first foray of Philadelphia Pedicabs in 2005. On the first night of business on South Street, Philadelphia Police officers ordered the owner of Philadelphia Pedicab, who was driving one of his pedicabs, to get off the street. Apparently, the police officers were not versed in Title 75 of PA Consolidated Statutes, which states: Every person riding a pedalcycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle

Denied access to the best revenue location in the city, Philadelphia Pedicabs eventually folded.

Next came Chariots of Philly. They have been operating quietly and successfully in Manayunk for the past few years. The minute they tried to operate a convenient transportation option in the congested Stadium Area for Eagle's games, L&I ordered them to cease operations and impounded one of their bike trailers. A hearing is scheduled in May to uphold the cease operations order. Chariots of Philly have, for now, settled on expanding service in the friendlier confines of Avalon NJ.

Then last year a bill was introduced in City Council that threatened the basic rights of all bicyclists:

AN ORDINANCE Amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," by adding certain definitions and by amending Section 12-800, entitled "Bicycle Regulations and Penalties," prohibiting pedalcycles that seat more than two passengers from roadways, all under certain terms and conditions.

The Bicycle Coalition contacted the bills sponsor, Councilman DiCicco. As a result a hearing on the bill was canceled and no further action was taken.

It is time for Philadelphia to allow all modes of transportation, be it by foot, by pedal power, or by carbon fuels.

It is time for Philadelphia to encourage all entrepreneurs, for that too helps all Philadelphians and its visitors.

It is particularly time for Philadelphia to encourage and celebrate "green" initiatives like Pedicabs. We hope the city will quickly do what it needs to, and allow all of us to see and use Pedicabs this spring.

City Council Proposes Banning Pedicabs!

A proposed ordinance being considered by City Council will effectively ban pedicabs in Philadelphia, as a matter of fact any bicycle that carries more than two people would be affected by this bill.

Pedicabs, if properly regulated can be a convenient pollution free service for areas with high pedestrian traffic such as the historic district or along the BF Parkway. Many cities including New York City, Charleston SC, and Phoenix have pedicabs but entrepreneurs that have tried to replicate the service in Philadelphia have encountered resistance from the city, taxi services and the police.

Philadelphia Pedicab Link

Beyond that the ordinance would essentially ban 2 child bicycle trailers. So if this bill is not only anti-pedicab it will essentially put the clamps anybody who bicycles with children or even those who use such a trailer for hauling cargo.

BAD BILL!!! Contact your council representatives through Hallwatch.org.

Note: There will a hearing at 10AM on Wednesday after which committee will vote on the action.
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Bill No. 06089700
Introduced November 30, 2006

Councilmember DiCicco

Referred to the
Committee on Streets and Services

AN ORDINANCE

Amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," by adding certain
definitions and by amending Section 12-800, entitled "Bicycle Regulations and
Penalties," prohibiting pedalcycles that seat more than two passengers from roadways, all
under certain terms and conditions.