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 44th 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 Ann Sch 9.3 on April 25, 2014 at 5:56am

Thanks for the link to change.org.  

My son was a pedicabber two summers, and loved showing people the city and the folks who hired him LOVED the experience. 

Taking those streets off the rides would be ridiculous

However, the regulation is long overdue.  He saw riders being ripped off, offended, and near fights by some independent pedicabbers. When he tried to step in he was threatened. (he should have called the cops, but the group would still be around and continue to hassle him) 

We need regulation but the street bans are excessive.  The needed changes would be with regulations.

Permalink Reply by Chelsea Burns on April 25, 2014 at 9:16am

Called and left a message . . . thanks for letting us know about this, as well as the deadline date!

Permalink Reply by T.C. O'Rourke on April 28, 2014 at 5:12am

WBEZ ran a short blurb on the proposed ordinance this morning:

Chicago city council to tackle pedicab regulations

Please email your alderman and tell them pedicabs are a solution to, not cause of, traffic congestion.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on April 28, 2014 at 5:20am

Petition signed and emailed alderman's office.

Permalink Reply by Barry Aldridge on April 28, 2014 at 3:18pm

Pedicabs are using the streets (and often sidewalks) to make money, so some regulation is only fair. I think it's especially important to require insurance to protect the operators, their passengers and the public. Requiring seat belts and lights will improve safety and visibility. 

Permalink Reply by T.C. O'Rourke on April 28, 2014 at 4:56pm

The industry is universally in favor of regulation.  We are opposing is the viewpoint that pedicabs are inherently dangerous and responsible for the traffic congestion in these areas. 

Being prohibited from public roadways, while being charged "ground transportation tax", is unnecessary and unfair.



Barry Aldridge said:

Pedicabs are using the streets (and often sidewalks) to make money, so some regulation is only fair. I think it's especially important to require insurance to protect the operators, their passengers and the public. Requiring seat belts and lights will improve safety and visibility. 

Permalink Reply by T.C. O'Rourke on April 29, 2014 at 2:41am

Another good piece of press from the non-partisan Illinois Policy Institute: Two major problems with proposed Chicago pedicab regulations

The vote is today, folks.  The ordinance has not been changed.  Please send a one line e-mail to your alderman asking they vote NO on the proposed pedicab ordinance.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 29, 2014 at 6:27am

I sent my message.

T.C. O'Rourke said:

Another good piece of press from the non-partisan Illinois Policy Institute: Two major problems with proposed Chicago pedicab regulations

The vote is today, folks.  The ordinance has not been changed.  Please send a one line e-mail to your alderman asking they vote NO on the proposed pedicab ordinance.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on April 29, 2014 at 1:48pm

The Proposed Ordinance was approved by the joint committees of "Transportation and Public Way" and "License and Consumer Protection." The Proposed Ordinance will be voted on by the full City Council tomorrow 4/30/14.

Permalink Reply by Renee Patten on April 30, 2014 at 4:33am

Sent to my Alderman (46th) & cc-ed the 44th. Good luck!

"Anything that reduces bike friendless and promotes car-use is detrimental to our society and city.

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. Allowing cars to rule the streets contributes more to these problems than a pedicab ever could. 

Supporting this ordinance would show a truly negative view of supporting a bike-friendly and sustainable city. I would encourage you not to support such a backward's thinking proposal."

Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on April 30, 2014 at 10:45am


I was just wondering, too, and found this - it says "unanimously" - not good. 

http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/pedicab-crackdown-bans...

Then I found this. Bad news:
http://www.wbez.org/news/chicago-aldermen-crack-down-plastic-bags-p...

h' 1.0 said:

Results? I saw that the partial ban on plastic bags passed....

Permalink Reply by Ryan Stahlman on April 30, 2014 at 10:59am

Where will we get plastic bags now to keep our feet dry! ;)

Super bummed about the pedicab news.


Sarah D. said:


I was just wondering, too, and found this - it says "unanimously" - not good. 

http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/pedicab-crackdown-bans...

Then I found this. Bad news:
http://www.wbez.org/news/chicago-aldermen-crack-down-plastic-bags-p...

h' 1.0 said:

Results? I saw that the partial ban on plastic bags passed....

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