Judging by the Patch report, it sounds like the Santa Monica City Council took an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" approach in their unanimous approval of a new pedicab ordinance. Because the bicycle cabs are classified by the state as, well, bikes, they can't be banned from city streets, explained the city attorney. So instead of outlawing pedicabs, the council will regulate them, charging a business license and permit fee, and requiring operators to have valid drivers licenses and clean records. The cabs themselves will have to be fully equipped the headlights, taillights, and brakes. Santa Monica won't require loading zones or set rates, or cap the number of permits issued to pedicab drivers, but operators will need to file both their routes and planned rates with the city. With the ordinance passed, the path has now been paved to approve the license filed by Trike Pilots last June to bring in up to 20 pedicabs.
· Santa Monica OKs Regulations on Pedicabs [SM Patch]
· Santa Monica Could Legalize Pedicabs Next Week [Curbed LA]
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