friends & Fans of PEdicabs:
Read the fine print on article 32!
Here’s the tea:
Pedicabs are already licensed and regulated in Ptown
Ptown’s Licensing Board maintains Pedicab licensing rules & regulations
They’ve been working all winter on thoughtful revisions Including:
Safer Riders: Stricter Training Requirements for pedicab operators
Safer Bikes: Stricter Inspection Requirements for Pedicab Vehicles
Transparent Fares: Agreed Upon in Advance & New Complaint Line
Stricter Enforcement: Utilizing CSO Officers & Show Cause Hearings
You can find existing rules here & Minutes from pedicab workshop here.
This article is not endorsed by the licensing board
Why this matters:
Article 32 bans pedicab owners from sharing hard to find garages, mechanics, & riders
in Ptown, small business work together - Boy Toy Pedicabs, MacMillan Pedicabs, and Petty Kings share a garage in order to compete with the larger fleets in town who have their own shops. This would require us to get our own shops at a significant cost.
If a bike breaks down, it’s common for riders to borrow a bike from another fleet. This would no longer allow that.
This is like banning bartenders or servers from working at more than one bar or restaurant, even if they can’t get hours.
Article 32 bans pedicabs from using third-party booking sites like tripadvisor, having clothing sponsors, or other contracts
Like most travel and transportation services, it’s common for pedicabs to use booking sites like expedia or tripadvisor. We also have clothing sponsorships that provide riders uniforms.
This would no longer allow that.
This is like banning rental property owners from utilizing airbnb or contracting out their housekeeping & property management.
Article 32 has contradicting language exposing town to unnecessary lawsuits & drawn out legal challenges
In one paragraph, it says remaining licenses will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
in another, it says via a lottery. Which is it?
This article so poorly written and will likely result in disproportionate financial harm to owners, exposing the town to Unnecessary legal expenses.
Article 32 creates a licensing cap which can lead to unfair monopolies like the NYC failed taxi medallions
If licenses are awarded based on existing fleet size, it hinders growth of new innovative companies and reduces competition and incentives for existing owners to maintain quality bikes and treat riders fairly.
We agree with Selectman Borg’s comments at the start of this process:
Pedicabs are already licensed and regulated in ptown
Article 32 is not endorsed or recommended by the town’s licensing board
You can move to reject, postpone, or amend the article at town meeting if you don’t support:
banning small businesses from working together and sharing resources
Banning travel and transportation companies from utilizing convenient booking platforms
Poorly written legislation that exposes the town to unnecessary lawsuits and legal challenges
Creating monopolies that hinder competition and innovation