Title:
Title
(Pass for Publication) Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 5.94.210 Regulating Pedicabs
End
FileID
File ID: 2019-01651
Location: Citywide
Recommendation:
Recommendation
1) Review an Ordinance amending Section 5.94.210 of the Sacramento City Code relating to general pedicab operations; and 2) pass for publication the ordinance title per Sacramento City Charter Article III, section 32(c) for adoption on December 10, 2019.
Contact: Andrew Hart, Transportation Program Analyst, (916) 808-6725, Jennifer Donlon Wyant, Transportation Planning Manager (916) 808-5913; David Edrosolan, Interim City Traffic Engineer (916) 808-5974, Department of Public Works
Body
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Ordinance (Redline)
3-Ordinance (Clean)
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: Pedicab operation in the City has increased in recent years (see Table 1 below). Staff have received complaints regarding pedicab devices on sidewalks. Operation of pedicabs is generally concentrated in the downtown core near event centers where there is also a high concentration of pedestrians. Per the California Vehicle Code (Section 467.5), pedicabs are classified as bicycles. City Code currently allows bicycles to operate on sidewalks. This allowance is extended to pedicabs by classification. This creates a potential conflict with pedestrians on the City’s increasingly crowded sidewalks, particularly with pedestrians with disabilities. This ordinance amendment seeks to prohibit pedicab operation - both riding and parking - on sidewalks.
Table 1: Pedicab Business Permits by Year
|
Year |
Total Permitted Pedicabs in Operation |
|
2014 |
1 |
|
2015 |
14 |
|
2016 |
17 |
|
2017 |
15 |
|
2018 |
27 |
|
2019 |
26 |
Pedicabs are defined in City Code as a bicycle that has three or more wheels that is capable of transporting passengers. The permitting program for pedicabs in the City began in 2014. Pedicabs can support City goals around sustainability and mobility such as reduction of automobile trips and support zero-emission vehicles.
It has been reported to the City through phone calls to 311 and City Council offices that pedicabs park on sidewalks outside event centers and parks, in a manner that blocks the sidewalk ramps, obstructing the pedestrian path of travel, while pedicabs wait for potential customers. It has also been reported that pedicabs are riding on the sidewalks while transporting customers. It is in the City’s best interest to disallow pedicabs on sidewalks to enhance safety. Pedicabs are over 4-feet wide, taking up over half of a standard downtown sidewalk, forcing pedestrians into landscape strips or into the street to avoid conflict with a passing pedicab. Pedestrians with disabilities and/or using assistive devices have a higher risk of conflict and are less able to avoid conflicts.
This amendment to the City Code will prohibit pedicabs from operating - both riding and parking - on sidewalks. It will also require that pedicabs traveling on any public way, including multiuse trails, yield to pedestrians.
For these reasons, staff recommends amending Section 5.94.210 to prohibit pedicabs from operating - both riding and parking - on sidewalks.
Policy Considerations: The recommended changes are consistent with Sacramento 2035 General Plan policies, including:
M 2.1 Integrated Pedestrian System. Design, construct, and maintain a universally accessible, safe, convenient, integrated and well-connected pedestrian system that promotes walking.
M 1.1.7 Safe Sidewalks. The City shall require pedestrian facilities to be constructed in compliance with adopted design standards.
Economic Impacts: None
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): This action is an administrative activity and is not considered a project under CEQA Guidelines (Title 14 Cal. Code Reg. §15000 et seq.) § 15378 (b)(4).
Sustainability: The recommended action supports the Climate Action Plan goal to create a connected multi-modal transportation network that increases the use of sustainable modes of transportation (e.g., walking, biking, transit) and reduces dependence on automobiles.
Commission/Committee Action: Staff presented this item to the Active Transportation Commission on May 16, 2019. Commissioner comments were united in the support of bike-based businesses in Sacramento. However, several Commissioners expressed concern with a blanket prohibition, particularly the effect on plazas and parks. Other Commissioners saw no instance where the benefits of having pedicabs on sidewalks outweighed the risk of conflict with pedestrians with disabilities.
Staff presented this item to the Law & Legislation Committee on June 4, 2019. The committee unanimously passed the motion to forward the item to City Council for consideration with the request for staff to evaluate a letter from a pedicab operator for merit and feasibility. Staff has delivered a memo to the committee members responding to the letter with staff recommendations to maintain the prohibition of sidewalk operation .
Rationale for Recommendation: Requiring all pedicabs to travel and operate using on-street bikeways will decrease the potential for conflicts. This will preserve access to the sidewalks for pedestrians of all abilities.
Financial Considerations: Not applicable
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable