A San Diego pedicab driver has been charged with a felony in the death of a woman who fell from his cab this past weekend. KPBS reporter Katie Orr says the woman’s death could prompt the city to tighten its regulations on the pedicab industry.
A group of council members is calling on the full council to consider an ordinance with new rules for pedicab owners and drivers by the end of the month. A council committee has already approved the measure. It would limit the number of cabs that could operate in high traffic areas to 250. Councilman Tony Young says the ordinance would strike a balance.
“We have to find a way to truly regulate this industry so that it’s not only a productive part of the tourism industry and the economy here in San Diego, but it’s also safe,” he says.
Young says the city can’t have another accident. There have been discussions about requiring pedicab drivers to have a California drivers license, but council members say that may require legislation at the state level.
