Pedicab Rules

This question from Dr. Gridlock's chat last month reminds me that the new rules for pedicabs in DC should have gone into effect last week. Any pedicab drivers out there who can confirm this? What has the impact been?

I have noticed on my drives around the Mall during the day, especially evening rush hour, that there seem to be more of these bike rickshaw/carriages--a single rider (never with a helmet on) pulling two people carriage style. They are often on major roads--Independence Ave, for instance--going barely at the rate of a brisk walk despite significant traffic. With all the huge tour busese, SUVs, and other commuters, simply spotting these things is difficult. It's a serious disaster waiting to happen. I can't belive[sic] the city actually allows this to happen, it's so obviously dangerous.

I agree. Tour buses and SUV's should not be allowed on busy streets during rush hour. (That was their point, right?)

Comments

[Erica]

While I'm generally pro-helmet, it's true that pedicabs rarely go faster than a brisk walk, or at the most a brisk jog, so a helmet would be rather pointless at such slow speeds. Joggers don't wear helmets, after all, despite sometimes being on the roads.

[contrarian]

Helmets are designed to protect against low-speed falls, not collisions, so I wouldn't say that slow speed itself is a a reason not to wear a helmet. However, falling from a rickshaw is unlikely, which is a reason not to wear a helmet.

[Aaron]

As a former pedicab driver, the reason that helmets are basically unneeded is as contrarian says: helmets are designed against falls, not collisions. A pedicab by itself weighs quite a bit, and is a tricycle with a wide wheelbase - even if you pushed hard against the side, you wouldn't tip it over. If I leaned all the way off my seat, it wouldn't tip - it is even less likely to tip with passengers stabilizing the back wheel base. So basically, if you are in a pedicab your only risk is being rear ended by someone whose eyesight is so bad they can only see SUVs and buses.