An article in today’s USAToday says that pedicab businesses are growing and prompting municipalities to pass safety regulations. We have some pedicabs in Springfield, but I don’t know much about them. I’m thinking I need to change that.
The article isn’t very specific about what safety regulations are necessary — mostly the article mentions only safety inspections and businesses licenses.
Take a look at this picture taken in Newark, Delaware by Robert Craig of The News Journal:
What safety equipment and procedures ought to be required?
Since this contraption is a bicycle, the State of Missouri would require a white light in front and at least a red reflector in back. But beyond that?
Comments 8
Well this is very interesting. I must admit I’m having a fairly visceral response to this, as I see these kind of transit units as very close to a similar and ultimate symbol of colonialism and inequity.
Posted 11 Nov 2009 at 9:27 am ¶Perhaps some standards for frame construction/stability since it’s carrying commercial passengers.
Depending on the environment they’re working in, it might be prudent for drivers to have some form of traffic cycling education. Most people raised in our ignorant culture need to be extracted from their indoctrination in order to cycle effectively. Passengers should probably not be subjected to the trial and error learning process.
I had a pedicab driver in my bike ed class last night. Great gal! Super-enthusiastic and engaged in the class. She arrived with the least understanding of traffic cycling of anyone in the class. I think what she learned last night (and will in Saturday’s on-bike class) will make a tremendous improvement in her (and her passengers’) experience.
Posted 11 Nov 2009 at 11:30 am ¶I would say more lights, since they are much larger in size than standard bicycles. Aside from that, I don’t really think that any special regulations are necessary. I hope to God they are not thinking of forcing the cyclists or passengers to wear helmets.
Posted 11 Nov 2009 at 11:34 am ¶Keri… Good story. I’m thinking that’s one smart pedicab driver
And, yes, perhaps a traffic skills class would be appropriate seeing as how drivers have to get special licenses to carry passengers commercially.
Lovely… After my “Betting My Brains” post I wasn’t going to say it. But, yeah
Alex… Surely we can buff that image.
Posted 11 Nov 2009 at 12:01 pm ¶I think that there’s a lot of hostility to them from auto-cabs (who think of them as poaching fares). In boston they don’t actually have set rates- instead I think they have a suggested donation, to avoid issues with the taxi commission.
Posted 11 Nov 2009 at 12:08 pm ¶I did however read about a nasty accident in Seattle where a passenger was killed and it was found that the brakes failed. It does seem like there should be some regulation for visibility and equipment safety.
Of course I’m one of those nuts who believes that required bicycle safety inspections or licenses wouldn’t be such a hardship.
Oh, and I would also be in favor of a bicycle licensing process that involved classes like the one Keri teaches. I’d rather not learn by trial and error when I’m riding amongst giant steel vehicles! I know that the decision of what is taught is fraught with politics though.
Posted 11 Nov 2009 at 12:13 pm ¶Cycler… I’m thinking mechanical inspections based on clear safety guidelines is a good idea. At a minimum, these contraptions have to hold a certain amount of weight, be visible, be able to maneuver, and be able to stop.
Posted 11 Nov 2009 at 1:18 pm ¶Liability insurance to protect the passengers. The insurance companies will offer discounts for drivers that learn how to operate in traffic, for pedicabs that don’t fall apart, and so on. Government should keep their fingers out of things as much as possible. As in most things, taxing and regulating stuff reduces it so do the regulation and tax thing if you want to kill off pedicabs. Otherwise, let the market establish the optimum balance. Insurance will ensure the passengers aren’t the losers.
We have mechanical inspections here in Texas and they’re worse than useless.
Posted 11 Nov 2009 at 7:25 pm ¶