Save The Pedicabs

Hey Folks—

I’m writing today in the hopes that you will call and/or email your Alderman asap and ask that he or she vote NO on the current proposed pedicab ordinance, until the removal of “Section V”, the prohibition on the operation of pedicabs on both Michigan Av. and State St. from Congress Pkwy (500 S.) to Oak St. (1000 N.) at all times, as well as the in the Loop during rush hour (7am-9am & 4pm-6pm.)

The ordinance, sponsored by Alderman Tom Tunney, is slated for Committee on April 29 and expected to go to City Council on April 30, where it is likely to pass unless action is taken.

These bans are highly problematic for a number of reasons. Michigan Av. and State St. are the most pedestrian and tourist oriented areas of downtown and many pedicab operators make the bulk of their income here. In addition to being prohibited from soliciting fares here, we will also be prevented from taking passengers picked up elsewhere to the numerous hotels, restaurants and institutions—some of the city’s most popular destinations—along this two-mile corridor. Frankly, no tour of the city is complete without traveling these iconic streets.

Michigan Av. and State St. are also essential two-way streets and navigating the Loop and River North becomes virtually impossible without them. At best, several additional blocks will be added to most trips. The layout of the largely one way street grid was established with the assumption that vehicles would utilize these arterial streets; westbound traffic on Monroe at Michigan, for example, is required to turn onto Michigan Av. Temporary street closures, for events, filming, construction, etc. will complicate matters even further.

These geographic and time restrictions have been added to the ordinance in the name of “preserving the public health and safety” and “avoiding traffic congestion”. However, no pedicab related injuries or traffic studies have been cited.

The pedicab industry in Chicago embraces regulation. Provisions within this ordinance like insurance requirements, demanding fares be posted and basic safety standards will raise the level of service provided. Under the new ordinance, those pedicab operators engaging in dangerous behavior or who impede the flow of traffic will be identifiable, subject to loss of license and fines as high as $1,000. To label pedicabs a nuisance by permanently banning them from essential streets and at peak times, without ever having tested the effects of *reasonable* regulation, is unwarranted and unfair. It also sets a dangerous precedent for human powered transportation.

If you can, please call and/or e-mail Alderman Tunney (773.525.6034, ward44@cityofchicago.org) as well. Ask that he remove “Section V”, regarding to the Michigan Av., State St. and Loop Rush Hour bans be removed from his proposed pedicab ordinance. You don’t need to live in the 44^th Ward to do so.

You can find your own Alderman here:

https://webapps3.cityofchicago.org/StickerOnlineWeb/geoWardLookup.do

Thanks & please share,

T.C.

P.S. The current proposed ordinance is here: Pedicabs_Updated_Sub_4_10_14_ver1.pdf

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on May 1, 2014 at 2:36am

That is so great! Have always already romanticized Hamburg. See also: the films of Fatih Akin.

Very disappointed in the City Council on this. I let my Alderman know.

h' 1.0 said:

This city feels like it's moving backwards in so many ways.

I don't like to think of myself as a quitter but defecting to Hamburg sounds better all the time.

http://weburbanist.com/2014/01/12/car-free-city-hamburg-announces-a...

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on May 1, 2014 at 3:24am

Disappointing news. It is a step backwards. I need to write to my alderman again. He's generally a disappointment, but I'll keep flogging anyway.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on May 1, 2014 at 5:09am

Very disappointing.

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Permalink Reply by T.C. O'Rourke on May 1, 2014 at 12:33pm

Hi All--

As you have read, the ordinance passed and is scheduled to become law on June, 7th.

We are disappointed the input we provided over many public meetings and the committee hearing was completely disregarded. It was sad to hear Mayor Emanuel speak about making Chicago "the greenest city in America" via the plastic bag ban, the petcoke legislation and establishing bike infrastructure, while at the same time destroying a burgeoning green transportation option by overburdening it with ridiculous regulation.

The vote was not unanimous as reported, but opposed by Alderman Danny Solis (25th Ward). Regardless, the 'yea' vote in council is more courtesy towards consensus. Alderman Ariel Reboyras voted no in committee and Alderman Rey Colon showed up to question it, despite not even having a committee vote.

The Chicago Pedicab Association is currently reviewing several different political and legal options available to us in continuing to fight the bans.

We will are also offering to work with the city to assist pedicabbers with complying with all regulations by the June 7th deadline. Currently the web page of the Dept. of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, the entity charged with overseeing implementation, makes no mention of pedicabs whatsoever :-/

Thanks to everyone who contacted their alderman and to Julie Hochstadter for promoting this issue.

T.C.

Streetsblog Chicago: City Council Takes a Step Backwards, Bans Pedicabs in Loop

Redeye: Pedicabs banned from Michigan Avenue and State Street