In an effort to respond to the public safety concerns of San Diegans, Assemblymember Marty Block (AD-78) announced that his AB 2294 has been passed out of the Legislature and now goes to the Governor’s desk for his signature. This bipartisan legislation would promote greater safety on San Diego streets and give local municipalities across California the authority to regulate how they license pedicabs and their operators, including a requirement that an operator obtain a valid California driver's license.

“AB 2294 is a commonsense bill that allows cities to crack down on unsafe driving habits by pedicab operators to protect passengers from injury and improve traffic safety,” said Assemblymember Marty Block. “Regulating pedicab operations is an important public safety issue that should be controlled at the local level. With this legislation, we are providing local officials with the authority and tools to regulate pedicabs as they best see fit in their communities – including the option of requiring operators to hold a valid California’s driver’s license. Pedicab operators drive on the same streets as cars and other commuters. Requiring them to obtain a driver’s license and to demonstrate an understanding of traffic laws is reasonable and necessary.”

AB 2294 was developed following a July 2009 accident in San Diego when a tourist was fatally injured after falling out of a recklessly driven pedicab. This tragedy renewed efforts to enhance the city’s pedicab ordinance by city officials who responded by limiting the areas pedicabs can operate, required operators to carry proof of insurance and capped the number of pedicabs allowed to operate at 250.

Currently, many municipalities license and regulate pedicabs and their operators through local ordinances and resolutions. These ordinances which control pedicab licensure vary according to each jurisdiction; however, some jurisdictions do not believe they have the necessary explicit authority to impose certain regulations that would best benefit their communities.

“Pedicabs contribute to San Diego’s tourism business and for this commerce to flourish people need to feel safe, especially in crowded areas like the Gaslamp Quarter. In the case of the pedicab companies, it is the duty of the state to protect passengers when they put their lives in the hands of pedicab operators,” added Assemblymember Block.

Sponsored by the City of San Diego, this bill will provide local jurisdictions explicit authority to require one or more of the following documents to demonstrate an understanding of the rules of the road: a valid California driver’s license; proof of successful completion of a bicycle safety training course certified by the League of American Bicyclists or an equivalent organization as determined by the local authority; or a valid California identification card and proof of successful completion of the written portion of the California driver’s license examination.