COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA2 COMMITTEE ON LICENSES AND INSPECTIONS3 Room 400, City Hall6 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, December 2, 20107 4:10 p.m. PRESENT: COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ, CHAIR10 COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY11 COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN BILL 100550 - An ordinance amending Section 9-410 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled14 "Pedicabs," by broadening the definition of "Pedicab," and by making certain changes in15 the requirements for licensing and operation of Pedicabs, under certain terms and16 conditions. - - -18 2
Good2 afternoon. The Committee on Licenses and3 Inspections hearing scheduled on Bill4 100550 originally scheduled for o'clock5 will now come to order. We thank6 everyone for their patience.7 We have established a quorum,8 to my far left, with Councilman Kelly,9 Councilman Greenlee and Councilwoman10 Blondell Reynolds and the sponsor of this11 bill.12 Will the Clerk read the title13 of the bill.14
Bill No. 100550, an15 ordinance amending Section 9-410 of The16 Philadelphia Code, entitled "Pedicabs,"17 by broadening the definition of18 "Pedicab," and by making certain changes19 in the requirements for licensing and20 operating of Pedicabs, under certain21 terms and conditions.22
Thank23 you.24 Before we get started, the bill25 3 12/2/10 - PARKS - BILL 1005501 sponsor has some remarks.2
I thank3 you very much, Madam Chair Lady.4 On September 17th, 2009, about5 a year after I saw this vehicle in New6 York City, I introduced legislation7 permitting pedicabs to appear legally on8 the streets of Philadelphia. A pedicab,9 which is a pedalcycle with three or more10 wheels propelled solely by human power11 and operated to transport passengers,12 will only be allowed on routes approved13 by the Streets Department and only during14 approved time periods. These vehicles,15 like taxis and limousines, will require16 liability insurance, as was stipulated in17 the earlier legislation.18 Pedicabs have provided an19 opportunity to create new green,20 small-sector jobs and small businesses in21 the City. There are a number of22 operators, including those here today,23 whom my office has worked with since this24 idea became an idea, and I want to thank25 4 12/2/10 - PARKS - BILL 1005501 every single one of you over the last2 year for sitting down with my office, who3 came -- who sat with us to create a more4 convenient and fun way for citizens and5 tourists to get around Philadelphia.6 Tourism, we know, is the number7 two industry in Philadelphia and is8 indeed a vital part of our economy.9 Pedicabs are known to be popular amongst10 tourists in other areas of the country,11 and, as always, I think San Francisco on12 the west was one of the first and New13 York was one of the first on the east,14 and now Philadelphia is getting in line.15 This eco-friendly tourist16 option is pollution free and will provide17 a positive alternative for short-distance18 travel.19 I am confident that pedicabs20 will continue to play a growing integral21 part in the City and our City's tourism22 experience. This initiative will also23 bring us one step closer to reducing our24 carbon footprint as we seek to become the25 5 12/2/10 - PARKS - BILL 1005501 greenest city in America.2 The record should reflect that3 my office has worked intimately with the4 Streets Department and a number of5 pedicab operators to assist with this6 evolving industry since the introduction7 and passage of this bill. The amendments8 today are representative of numerous9 conversations and discussions and10 demonstrations over the summer. The11 first would allow for electric-assist12 pedicabs, and the second will allow for13 pedicab operators to operate a pedicab14 with a driver's license from any state15 outside of just Pennsylvania.16 The third will speak to17 workers' compensation requirements, which18 was one of my concerns, that we make sure19 that is a consideration for those who20 ultimately manipulate these vehicles.21 Again, I want to thank the22 Streets Department, the pedicab23 operators, Philly Bikecab Alliance, Rob24 Stewart, the Pennsylvania Public Utility25 6 12/2/10 - PARKS - BILL 1005501 Commission and the Philadelphia Parking2 Authority to collectively putting our3 heads together over the past many months4 to arrive at these amendments.5 Thank you, Madam Chair, for6 these opening remarks.7
Thank8 you, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds. We9 appreciate all your work in getting10 Philadelphia to be a more attractive,11 visitor-friendly environment. So we12 thank you for your work.13 Did you have a question?14
I just want18 to follow up with what Councilwoman Brown19 just alluded to pedicabs, but I was in20 Key West, Florida and they don't seem to21 have any problem with it. In fact, I've22 been on them, and they can go all over23 that town, and it seems like it was a24 great tourist attraction as well as a25 7 12/2/10 - PARKS - BILL 1005501 good way to get around town, and I just2 wanted to point that out. They do that3 and they've done it for years, and it4 seemed to be working.5
That's8 all we needed. Councilman Kelly rode9 one. We're fine. We're safe. We're10 fine.11
Thank14 you.15 The Streets Department,16 Mr. Denny, if you would proceed with your17 testimony.18 (Witness approached witness19 table.)20
Good afternoon,21 Chairwoman Quinones-Sanchez and members22 of the Committee. Thank you for the23 opportunity to appear before you today.24 My name is Charles Denny, the Assistant25 8 12/2/10 - PARKS - BILL 1005501 Chief Traffic Engineer for the Department2 of Streets. I am here today to offer3 testimony on Bill No. 100550, which was4 introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown5 on September 16th, 2010.6 The Streets Department supports7 the proposed amendments in this bill.8 Thank you for the opportunity9 to appear before you today, and I would10 be happy to answer any questions.11
I do have14 one question, and I guess it comes to the15 hours that these people would be working16 or the times. I think that, as I17 mentioned before, in Key West they have18 like mild, warm and hot seasons, but in19 Philadelphia we have different seasons,20 and I was just wondering if this was21 going to affect this bill or the hours of22 operation or whatever. Would it be from23 certain months during the year or would24 it be --25 9 12/2/10 - PARKS - BILL 1005501
They're allowed to2 operate all day and into the night. The3 only restrictions we have are on certain4 state highways and on some streets in5 Center City during the peak hours, but6 other than that, there is no7 restrictions.8
There's no9 restrictions? Well, I'm just wondering10 about the wintertime, if snow and sleet11 and everything else is going to affect12 the service or not.13
I don't believe14 they're going to be wanting to work in15 the snow and sleet, so I don't think it's16 a problem.17
It's up to the20 companies. They're regulating21 themselves.22
They're not25 10 12/2/10 - PARKS - BILL 1005501 required to, no.2
Thank you.3 COUNCILWOMAN SANCHEZ:4 Councilwoman Brown.5
I do want6 to seize the moment to offer a huge7 thank-you again, and if I spoke several8 languages, I'd say it in different9 languages, because we have not taken at10 all for granted the role the Streets11 Department has -- the leadership role the12 Streets Department has played, since this13 is the business you are in when it comes14 to the safety transport of Philadelphia15 citizens, and your willingness to be at16 the table throughout those many months17 and working with the operators has been18 deeply appreciated.19 Thank you.20
I think22 you're okay. We will go to our next23 witness.24 Mr. Ron Ash, President of the25 11 12/2/10 - PARKS - BILL 1005501 Philly Bikecab Alliance. As he walks to2 the witness table, I will read into the3 record the fact that we'll give to the4 stenographer that there is a letter from5 the Pennsylvania Public Utility6 Commission, a letter from the Philly Cab7 Alliance and an e-mail from the Parking8 authority that will be added into the9 record.10 (Witness approached witness11 table.)12
Good afternoon, Madam15 Chair and members of the Committee.16 Thank you so much again, Councilwoman17 Reynolds Brown, for sponsoring the bill.18 My name is Ron Ash. I'm owner19 of Velo Park and President of Philly20 Bikecab Alliance, and on behalf of the21 Philly Bikecab Alliance, we thank you for22 the opportunity to testify today.23 We are very encouraged about24 this bill, and passing the items in this25 12 12/2/10 - PARKS - BILL 1005501 bill will surely help the industry to2 grow and prosper. It will open more job3 opportunities. It will make the jobs4 driving the pedicabs easier. It will5 create more equal opportunity for others6 who are in our city who don't have a PA7 driver's license to access these jobs.8 It does quite a bit, these three changes.9 So we're very pleased, and we10 thank you for your continued support, and11 I'm available if you have any questions.12 I'd be more than happy to answer them.13
Yes. I14 did want to -- because part of your15 presentation talks about how the civic16 groups have received this well. Can you17 kind of talk about were there any18 concerns that you felt the association19 wasn't able to address, or the people are20 just pleased and ready to go?21
I think there was22 some apprehension in the beginning,23 because there's been dialogue in the City24 about recreation vehicles and how it25 13 12/2/10 - PARKS - BILL 1005501 impacts the residents in the area. And2 we totally understand these concerns and3 we have addressed everything in the4 meetings, and once everyone came out from5 the meeting and took rides in the6 pedicabs, as Mr. Kenney will attest to,7 they were very pleased, and I think they8 were also encouraged to know how we9 approach handling our business and how we10 try to work with the public and our11 customers and things like that.12 So I think that was very13 productive meetings and I think we14 addressed everything.15
I hope16 that this goes well, and it is important.17 Do we envision being able, outside of the18 main tourist attractions, be able to use19 them as a way of showing some of the20 great Fairmount Park, some of the21 neighborhood pieces?22
Is that24 where we're going?25 14 12/2/10 - PARKS - BILL 1005501
Exactly. That is2 certainly within my business model for3 Velo Park, and I think that's really4 how -- I used to work at Shaminy Mansion5 in West Fairmount Park and the Seaport,6 and you have these wonderful resources7 that are outside of the downtown loop8 where tourists are unaware of these great9 secrets in the City, and this is one way10 to help move those tourism dollars into11 other neighborhoods, like North12 Philadelphia or other areas of the City13 that have great stories to tell. So it14 will contribute in some small way to15 creating a greater experience of16 Philadelphia, I think.17
Yes.21 Thank you very much. That is an22 important question, and it was raised23 during our hearings. One of the24 expectations is that this new enterprise25 15 12/2/10 - PARKS - BILL 1005501 will move to neighborhood corridors and2 other corridors in the City. We have3 wonderful art and cultural experiences.4 I have seen them in the park, and they're5 on a test kind of experience in the park,6 but that is one of the expectations. And7 somewhere in the legislation -- it's been8 a while, so I don't remember where -- the9 District Councilmembers will have a say10 in bringing this type of enterprise to11 your business corridors, yes.12 If you would, just speak to the13 issue of training, because that was14 another issue raised along the way and15 how that has been dealt with in those16 meetings.17
Absolutely. We are18 working with the Bicycle Coalition of19 Greater Philadelphia and accessing their20 education model through the bicycle21 ambassadors. So when drivers come on22 board with us, the owners provide full23 training on the vehicle, orientation on24 our company, all those types of things,25 16 12/2/10 - PARKS - BILL 1005501 and, of course, training on the street2 and in the cabs and a number of different3 things. And then we set up a classroom4 environment and we bring in a bicycle5 ambassador and then we talk about6 etiquette and we do their program.7 So we're really trying to come8 at this from a lot of different ways,9 and, of course, when the tours start,10 we'll be following the same type of11 detailed approach to training. It's12 important.13
Thank15 you.16 I look forward to seeing these.17 I know that West Philadelphia's Love18 Notes murals has been well received. I19 can envision this being a great way for20 folks to enjoy that tour. We're working21 on a similar project like that in22 Frankford. So I really do look forward23 to being able to introduce that in the24 Frankford/Lower Northeast community.25 17 12/2/10 - PARKS - BILL 1005501 So thank you very much.2
Do you think7 they would be strong enough to get to the8 Northeast?9
No.10 They have to do the route ones up there.11 He's thinking about himself.12 This concludes the hearing part13 of our session. We will now go into our14 public meeting, and if Councilwoman Brown15 would give me a motion.16
Surely.17 Madam Chair, I move that Bill No. 10055018 be amended.19
Thank you22 very much for that procedural correction.23 Madam Chair, I move that Bill24 No. 100550 be moved out of Committee with25 18 12/2/10 - PARKS - BILL 1005501 a favorable recommendation and further2 move that the rules of Council be3 suspended so as to permit first reading4 at our next scheduled session.5 (Duly seconded.)6
Being13 none, Bill No. 100550 has been moved out14 of the Committee of Licenses and15 Inspection with a favorable16 recommendation and a rules suspension and17 will be read at our next public session.18 Thank you very much, and thank19 you for your patience.20 (Committee on Licenses and21 Inspections concluded 4:20 p.m.)22 - - -23 24 25 19 1 CERTIFICATE2 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the3 proceedings, evidence and objections are4 contained fully and accurately in the5 stenographic notes taken by me upon the6 foregoing matter on December 2, 2010, and that7 this is a true and correct transcript of same.8 9 10 11 12 --------------------13 MICHELE L. MURPHY14 RPR-Notary Public15 16 17 18 (The foregoing certification of this19 transcript does not apply to any reproduction20 of the same by any means, unless under the21 direct control and/or supervision of the22 certifying reporter.)23 24 25