Photo courtesy Joey Parsons

The Austin City Council passed two ordinances April 12 relating to pedicabs in downtown Austin, including updating regulations and establishing staging areas to pick up passengers.

According to Councilman Chris Riley, pedicab regulations in Austin were last updated 20 years ago, at a time when there were only about a dozen pedicabs in the city.

According to City of Austin Transportation Department Director Robert Spillar, there are currently 341 pedicab permits registered, and an additional 60 were recently requested. However, there will be a six-month moratorium on permits issued when the new regulations go into effect and are under review.

"Pedicabs are a great part of Austin's transportation network," Riley said. "They're a fun and environmentally safe way to get around, and we want to make sure that they continue to operate effectively."

Riley said work was done with various stakeholders on several new regulations, rules of the road and basic safety measures, such as requiring insurance.

A specific safety concern that will be under review relates to "trailer" pedicabs, which hook passenger carts to regular bicycles, versus the traditional "tricycle" pedicabs, with a bicycle tire in front and a wheel on each side of the passenger cart. Riley said a number of jurisdictions have banned trailers due to safety concerns, which the city will also consider.

Councilwoman Kathie Tovo inquired as to why pedicabs have less regulations than taxicabs including not having a permit cap or fixed-rate structure.

Spillar replied that Austin has always viewed the market and models as somewhat different, as pedicabs carry less passengers and take shorter trips. In addition, he said pedicabs do not have to factor in fuel costs, and it would be difficult to install meters.

"The current system fits the needs of pedicab operators and stakeholders," he said.

Regarding rates, pedicab drivers are currently allowed to negotiate prices with passengers, charge a fixed rate or work for tips only, but the ordinance adds that the price must be agreed upon before services are provided.

Tovo suggested looking into setting a set rate structure amount, rather than a tip-based system, which she said would be more convenient for passengers and maybe even drivers.

Riley said discussions and suggestions on how best to regulate pedicabs will be ongoing during the six-month review.

The second ordinance calls for designating areas downtown where pedicabs will be allowed to stage for rides aimed at making the process safer and simpler.

The first seven areas are located either on or near East Fifth, Sixth and Seventh streets between Brazos and Sabine streets, and will be put in place April 22 as both ordinances go into effect.